The Prom concert of the Lahti Symphony received praising critics from the British press

The concert of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, conducted by its Chief Conductor Osmo Vänskä, at the Royal Albert Hall in London (BBC Proms) on 15 August 2007 received praising critics from the British press. In the concert were played The Tempest, Symphony No. 7 and orchestral songs by Sibelius.

Hilary Finch from The Times stated on 17 August, that the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and Osmo Vänskä are ‘those Sibelius champions supreme’ and that ‘no one could complain with orchestral playing of such finesse and imagination’. Finch also writes that the concert ended with ‘Vänskä’s lean, clear-sighted and visionary account of Sibelius’s Seventh Symphony.’ Andrew Clements from the Guardian writes on 17 August that the Seventh Symphony was ‘sinewy and powerful’ and that in The Tempest the orchestra was ‘wonderfully responsive’.

Matthew Rye from The Daily Telegraph wrote on 16 August that the orchestra’s performance of The Tempest was ‘predictably absorbing’, and that the orchestra’s ‘rich string sound and characterful wind’ suited ideally to the work. About the Seventh Symphony he stated that it was ‘a characteristically cogent and unforced reading from Vänskä.’ Richard Fairman from the Financial Times wrote on 17 August that the performance of the Seventh Symphony was ‘everything that Vänskä and his players promised – rigorous and biting with a vigorous grip on detail.’

Michael Church from The Independent wrote on 20 August that The Tempest is ‘at last becoming recognised as the seminal work it is’ and that the performance ‘offered a chance to savour its magnificence.’ Church states also that ‘Sibelius’s take on Shakespeare seems to have been that of a folklorist rather than a psychologist’ and that ‘the whole majestic compendium was beautifully sung and played’.

Barry Millington from the Evening Standard wrote on 16 August that ‘Vanska’s reading of the [seventh] symphony was masterly in its negotiation of the multiple levels on which the structure operates. While inner textures pulsated with life, the broader elemental statements unfolded with eloquence and majesty.’ About The Tempest he states that it was performed ‘with due delicacy and precision’.


The Lahti Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chief Conductor Osmo Vänskä, performed at the BBC Proms concert series on 15 August 2007. The soloists were mezzo-soprano Lilli Paasikivi (Ariel), soprano Helena Juntunen (Juno), tenor Juha Hostikka (Stephano), baritone Ville Rusanen (Caliban) and tenor Petri Lehto (Trinculo), and the choir was Dominante. The Lahti Symphony performed at the BBC Proms with Vänskä for the first time in August 2003. The concert was also a major success and received high praise from the critics.