The cornerstone of Gemma New's debut with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, a bright song of praise to a free and happy person.

What connects the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and local music students? Junior Concert, of course! This year there is even more cause for celebration, as it marks the 10th time this fun concert takes place.

”For me, composition consists of the enchantment of the audience through sound,” says Peter Eötvös, who will be conducting the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time. One of the most noteworthy composers of our day, Eötvös went to study under Zoltán Kodály at the age of 14 and continues in his footsteps as a composer, conductor and teacher. Commissioned by the four biggest orchestras in Italy, Alle vittime senza nome reflects the refugee crisis – the anonymous passengers crowded onto boats and at the mercy of the waves.

No grand gestures or competitive glory, just quiet power, dignity and clean piano playing. Nelson Freire made his debut in 1944 at the age of just four and is one of the greatest pianists of his generation. The premiere of a new piece by Lotta Wennäkoski will also have audience members listening intently. The work is the first in a series of Helsinki Variations commissioned for the Finland 100 centenary year, in which six composers were invited to choose a Finnish composition from before 1945 as a source of inspiration.

“Thus Fate knocks at the door” is how Beethoven described the theme of his Symphony No. 5, without which the history of music would sound quite different. Akiko Suwanai in turn performs a violin concerto that earned her fame in 1990 as the youngest ever winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale for children has familiarised young audiences with orchestral instruments from one generation to the next.

Your ears will be in for a surprise as the Musica nova Helsinki festival once again presents the latest in contemporary music alongside established classics. Bryce Dessner, guitarist of The National, composed his piano concerto for the evening’s two sibling soloists. Also being performed in Finland for the first time will be Metacosmos, which was commissioned for the New York Philharmonic, and the rhythmic De Snelheid. The opening concert of the festival culminates with Delta, a composition by Jay Schwartz that explores the dimensions of sounds.

The ode to universal friendship ends our autumn season in traditional fashion. The excitement of one of the most popular concerts of the year is ensured by top Finnish soloists together with the Helsinki Music Centre Choir. Eva Ollikainen will be conducting the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra for the first time.

We celebrate Finnish Music Day with an international atmosphere.

Igor Stravinsky had already established a reputation as a young composer to watch with his gently controversial pieces, but The Rite of Spring was a step too far for Parisian audiences. The debut performance in 1913 met with much shouting and indignation. Even though the scandal surrounding the composition has subdued over the years, it remains as powerful as ever.

Duke Ellington’s swing is brought to life as the UMO Jazz Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra join forces once again. The programme includes the classic album Symphonic Ellington and its iconic musical description of Harlem. Antti Rissanen conducts the orchestras as they take on familiar and fresher arrangements of the music of the jazz giant.