Conductor Jan Söderblom to stand in for Eva Ollikainen

Conductor Eva Ollikainen was originally scheduled to conduct the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s concerts this week. Unfortunately, Ollikainen has had to cancel her concerts in Helsinki, and she will be replaced by conductor Jan Söderblom. Despite the change of conductor, the program remains as previously announced.  

The concert is dedicated to the composer Bernhard Crusell, whose 250th birthday is this year. To mark the centenary year, the concert will feature Crusell's Clarinet Concerto No 2, interpreted by Osmo Linkola, principal clarinet of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Performing Crusell's clarinet concerto at the composer's 250th anniversary concert is a cherished moment for Linkola. He regards Crusell as an entirely exceptional Finnish composer and musician in his time, and as a pioneering figure for many Finnish clarinetists. At the time of Crusell's 200-year celebrations, Linkola was a young listener, so he has waited 50 years for this opportunity. 

In addition to Crusell's Clarinet Concerto, the concert will feature Igor Stravinsky's Song of the Nightingale, Arvo Pärt's Third Symphony and Béla Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin, suite.