Concerts in January at the Music! exhibition
Sunday 10 January, 14:00 Slavic Christmas and winter songs Free entry, programmes for sale.
The Satakieli international cultural association will be performing a matinee of wintry and Christmassy songs from around Europe, particularly Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These will be interspersed with a selection of music from Finland, Spain and the UK.
Saturday 16 January, 13:00 Rock star memoirs Free entry.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Helsinki’s cellars and boiler rooms were rocking to the sound of countless newly-formed homegrown teen rock bands. The “studios” may have been stuffy, the creature comforts non-existent and the neighbours irate but the young musicians played on regardless, also using the spaces for partying and picking up girls. Veteran rockers Jussi Raittinen, Kari Suni and Ari Juutilainen will be on hand to share stories of their own rock ‘n’ roll high jinks. Audience participation encouraged. (Please note that this event will be conducted in Finnish)
Sunday 17 January, 14:00 From Havanainen to Habanera Free.
Helsinki Conservatory of Music pianists Jussi Littunen, Loviisa Tuomisto, Kalle Peura and Kumi Shimozaki along with violinists Pippa Sieppala and Marie Stolt will be performing music by Camille Saint-Saëns, J. S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Claude Debussy, Sergei Rahmaninov and Pablo de Sarasate.
23.1.Saturday 23 January, 19:00 SALANEUVOS @ Hakasalmi Villa Tickets EUR 20/10.
The award-winning Kamus Quartet, known for their distinctive performance style and powerful interpretations, will be continuing their enthusiastically-received concert series that charts the history of the string quartet and the rise of Helsinki as Finland’s capital city. This concert will be an opportunity to hear quartet music giant Ludwig van Beethoven’s Quartet No. 10, Op. 74 (Harp) and Franz Schubert’s Quartettsatz. The music will be interspersed with tales of 19th century Helsinki musical life and art and music lover Carl Johan Walleen, who commissioned Hakasalmi Villa, delivered by Helsinki City Museum curator Jere Jäppinen. (In Finnish)
Sunday 24 January, 14:00 Pride and prejudice A music salon with the Bennett sisters. Free entry, programme EUR 10.
Music features extensively in Jane Austen’s novels, as the ability to sing and play an instrument was integral to the education of middle and upper class 19th century women. Austen herself practised the piano daily, though her reputedly beautiful singing voice was rarely heard outside family occasions. Soprano Laura Salovaara and pianist Heidi Kuusava will perform a selection of songs and piano music that could well have featured at a concert attended by Austen’s heroines. In addition to Handel and a choice of Viennese classics, the programme includes music by Margaret Casson and Thomas Arne.
Sunday 31 January, 14:00 My favourite things Free entry, programme EUR 5.
The Seikkailukollektiivi ensemble will be playing an eclectic mix of music from evergreen tangos to songs by Finnish musical phenomenon Ultra Bra, treating audiences to a sound that blends the nostalgic vibe of a 1930s vocal harmony group with a contemporary vibe. The line up comprises vocalists Katri Korolainen and Leena Pihlajamäki alongside piano virtuoso Antti Ojala.
