PEKKA KUUSISTO
Guest Director
JS BACH
Brandenburg Concerto No.3, BWV1048
SIBELIUS (arr. KUUSISTO)
Voces Intimae [String Quartet in D minor]
JS BACH
Violin Concerto No.2 in E, BWV1042
ALAKOTILA
Finnish Folksong Suite for Strings [world premiere]
From folk to classical to contemporary improvisation, Pekka Kuusisto has the imagination to make thrilling music in any style. A standout musician from Finland, a place which seems to have more than its fair share of musical talent, Kuusisto’s exuberant style has made him a sought-after soloist around the world.
Bach’s famous Third Brandenburg Concerto is one of the most scintillating works in the canon, baroque perpetual motion for three trios of soloists. When played by the ACO, it’s music that makes your heart race in time with Bach’s pattering semiquavers. The brilliant E Major Violin Concerto is Kuusisto’s opportunity to demonstrate his charismatic and colourful playing.
Finland’s tradition of folk fiddling is alive and well, and Kuusisto is active in the scene – another string to his bow. We’ve asked noted composer/arranger Timo Alakotila to create a suite of life affirming folk tunes for the ACO and harmonium.
Completed as he was recovering from illness, Sibelius created one of his most heartfelt scores in the D minor String Quartet: music of reminiscences, of mercurial changes of mood; melancholy but never despairing. At the heart of the piece are three mysterious whispered chords over which Sibelius wrote ‘Voces Intimae’ – inner voices.
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