Wed, 12 September at 19.30
, St John’s, Smith Square
Mari Palo and Jussi Myllys
The festival begins with a feast of song in the heart of Westminster, with all four featured festival composers: Sibelius, Oskar and Aarre Merikanto, and Beethoven.
Tue, 18 September at 19.30
, Wigmore Hall
Inkinen Piano Trio
In their debut concert at London’s Wigmore Hall, the Inkinen Piano Trio presents one of Sibelius’ most popular works from his youth, plus Tchaikovsky and Ravel’s A minor trios.
Wed, 19 September at 19.30
, Leighton House
Sato, Ylönen & Gräsbeck Trio
An all-Sibelius programme for piano trio brings two of the named trios together with two rarities, including one later completed by Kalevi Aho, one of today’s star Finnish composers.
Thu, 20 September at 19.30
, Wigmore Hall
50th Anniversary Concert
On the 50th anniversary of the death of Jean Sibelius, baritone Jorma Hynninen and pianist Ilka Paananen, cellist Tuomas Ylinen and the string quartet Meta4 present Sibelius' music in celebration of his life.
Fri, 21 September at 19.30
, Wigmore Hall
Paavali Jumppanen
Paavali Jumppanen is a multi-award-winning artist with an impressive international reputation, and he brings Sibelius' three Sonatinas, Beethoven, and a recent work dedicated to him.
Tue, 9 October at 19.30
, St John’s, Smith Square
Lindberg's Clarinet Concerto
The
Salomon Orchestra was conceived in the Augustiner Keller in Vienna in 1963 by
the conductor Nicholas Braithwaite and a group of his contemporaries.
Thu, 1 November at 19.30
, Barbican Hall
LA Philharmonic & Komsi twins
The Los Angeles Philharmonic presents Sibelius’ glorious Second Symphony, and the mysterious Wing on Wing by their Music Director, Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Fri, 2 November at 13.05
, Duke’s Hall
Royal Academy of Music
Leif Segerstam is one of Finland’s most respected conductors and composers, and in this lunchtime concert conducts his latest symphony and two of Sibelius’ most popular orchestral works.
Fri, 2 November at 19.30
, Barbican Hall
LA Philharmonic & Salonen
Los Angeles Philharmonic’s series continues with Sibelius' Fourth and Seventh Symphonies; two of the most fascinating from the set, and a European premiere from Steven Stucky.
Sun, 4 November at 15
, Royal Festival Hall
Philharmonia & Segerstam
The charismatic Lithuanian, Julian Rachlin and London's Philharmonia Orchestra perform Sibelius' Violin Concerto, one of the outstanding works in the genre.
Fri, 9 November at 19.30
, Barbican Hall
LA Philharmonic & Mattila
Sibelius’ first symphony, a rich, romantic work; his third, the start of a new, ‘clean’ direction; and music by Kaija Saariaho for star soprano Karita Mattila.
Sat, 10 November at 19.30
, Barbican Hall
LA Philharmonic & Heppner
The final instalment of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s series at the Barbican Centre concludes with two symphonies: the ‘pure spring water’ of the Sixth, and the magnificent Fifth.
Tue, 13 November at 19.30
, St George’s Hanover Square
Juho Pohjonen
One of Finland's brightest talents, Juho Pohjonen brings piano works by
Sibelius, Mendelssohn and Esa-Pekka Salonen for his solo recital.
Thu, 15 November at 19.30
, St Giles Cripplegate
Rajaton
The vocal ensemble Rajaton is an 'a cappella' group of six singers. Their repertoire ranges from pop and folk music to contemporary concert works.
Fri, 16 November at 19.30
, St George’s Hanover Square
ECO Ensemble
The centrepiece of this concert is the unusual ‘Schott’ concerto by Sibelius’ contemporary, and featured festival composer, Aarre Merikanto. Beethoven's youthful Septet concludes.
Wed, 21 November at 19.30
, Cadogan Hall
English Chamber Orchestra
Music by Aulis Sallinen and Einojuhani Rautavaara, two of Finland’s senior composers, feature in this concert by one of the leading international chamber orchestras.
Thu, 22 November at 19.30
, St John’s, Smith Square
Arto Noras & Ralf Gothóni
Beethoven is a significant presence in this programme; two works are joined by a recent work by Aulis Sallinen, and a British twentieth-century work - Bridge's Cello Sonata.
Fri, 23 November
, Wigmore Hall
Johanna Rusanen
A star of opera houses across Europe and multi award-winner, Johanna Rusanen brings with her a programme of Finnish masterworks and Romantic favourites.
Mon, 26 November at 19.30
, St Giles Cripplegate
Kamus String Quartet
Schumann’s first quartet sits between two Finnish works from the last fifteen years – a fantastic advertisement for modern quartet repertoire, with the young Kamus Quartet.
Tue, 27 November at 19.30
, St George’s Hanover Square
Niko Kumpuvaara
An accordion recital, featuring music by Kalevi Aho and Jouni Kaipainen, plus newer pieces, including a world premiere performance, from soloist Niko Kumpuvaara.
Wed, 28 November at 19.30
, St George’s Hanover Square
Joonatan Rautiola
Saxophonist Joonatan Rautiola performs Schumann, Debussy, Villa-Lobos and Denisov, whilst contemporary Finnish music is represented through Tapio Tuomela.
Thu, 29 November at 19.30
, St Giles Cripplegate
Kari Kriikku & Avanti!
Kari Kriikku is one of the world’s most celebrated clarinettists, and brings colleagues from his Avanti! Orchestra for this chamber music concert. Not to be missed!
Fri, 30 November at 19.30
, St George’s Hanover Square
Helsinki Brass Quintet
The Helsinki Brass Quintet’s programme mixes Finnish and English music, plus some special arrangements of popular pieces. Exciting and adventurous!
Wed, 5 December at 19.30
, Cadogan Hall
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
The Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra present the final concert in the festival on the eve of the anniversary of Finnish Independence, with three works by Jean Sibelius.