The Lahti Symphony Orchestra's 12th International
SIBELIUS FESTIVAL 2011
8–11 September 2011 Sibelius Hall, Lahti

On behalf of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and myself, I should like to welcome you to the Sibelius Festival, which is now being organized for the twelfth time. We intend to perform all seven of the composer's symphonies, offering you the chance to journey with us through the immense development, the process of evolution that is spanned by this cycle of symphonies. The performances are on three successive evenings. 

For Sibelius the most important distinguishing features of the symphonic conception – such as individuality, conveying a world view, the challenging ruggedness of the large-scale form and a sureness of expressive focus, were attained by respecting the strict demands of the music’s inner logic, progressing from small units to larger ones, in an entirely logical way. It is by no means controversial to state that in terms of greatness of conception, Sibelius can be compared only to Beethoven, Bruckner and Brahms. We begin with the First Symphony, in E minor, in the spirit of ‘Sturm und Drang’, and end with the Seventh, a work that radiates Apollonian wisdom. Kullervo and the Lemminkäinen Suite might have deserved a place alongside the symphonies, but we have chosen instead to allow Elina Vähälä to dazzle us as soloist in the Violin Concerto.

With warmest regards,

Okko Kamu
Artistic Director of the Lahti Symphony
Orchestra's Sibelius Festival

ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS:

Thu 8.9.2011 at 7 p.m. Sibelius Hall  
Symphony No. 1
Symphony No. 2
Okko Kamu, conductor

Luonnotar 2011 Prizegiving Ceremony
In collaboration with the Wood in Culture Association and Metsämiesten Säätiö Foundation

Fri 9.9.2011 at 7 p.m. Sibelius Hall
Symphony No. 3
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 4
Okko Kamu, conductor
Elina Vähälä, violin

At 6 p.m. Pre-concert talk / Carpenter's Workshop:
Minna Lindgren on the mood of the festival (in Finnish).

Sat 10.9.2011 at 5 p.m. Sibelius Hall
Symphony No. 5
Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 7
Okko Kamu, conductor

At 4 p.m.  Pre-concert talk / Carpenter's Workshop:
Conductor Okko Kamu discusses Sibelius's symphonies and how to interpret them with the author and Sibelius Academy lecturer Simon Boswell (in English).


OTHER CONCERTS:

Sat 10.9.2011 at 1 p.m. Kalevi Aho Hall
Sibelius's Music for Piano
Heini Kärkkäinen, piano

Sonata in F major, Op. 12
Five Pieces ('The Trees'), Op. 75
Five Romantic Compositions, Op. 101
Kyllikki, three lyric pieces, Op. 41
Valse triste, Op. 44 No. 1

Sun 11.9.2011 at 11 a.m. Sibelius Hall
Sibelius on a Sunday Morning
Okko Kamu, violin
Jaakko Kuusisto, violin
Rémi Moingeon, viola
Sanna Palas-Lassila, cello

Andante festivo, JS 34a (1922)
String Trio in G minor, JS 210 (1893–94)
String Quartet in D minor 'Voces intimae', Op. 56