In 2011, I commissioned three Finnish composers to each write a new cello concerto for me.
The first one was by Eero Hämeenniemi, which I premiered in 2013 with the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. The second one was by Olli Mustonen, a work we premiered and recorded with ACO in 2014. The third one was to be from Jaakko Kuusisto, and the premiere was planned to be with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Unfortunately, things changed at the orchestra's end, and the project was put on hold and ultimately forgotten. However, Jaakko was keen to write something for me; he was, after all, my ex-brother-in-law and our two families had always remained close. I have had the joy of collaborating with Pekka, Jaakko’s little brother, extensively over the years. Jaakko was also present, especially early on in my career, helping me navigate through some of the hurdles a young musician might face.
The idea of a concerto by Jaakko always lingered in my mind, but partly because of the physical distance, a new opportunity to make it happen never properly presented itself. Life moved on.
In 2019, shortly before Jaakko was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, he finally wrote a cello concerto. Even though it was for someone else, he immediately sent the score to me. The concerto has already been played by a handful of cellists, and I finally had my opportunity to play it on my home turf earlier this year. It’s hard for me not to imagine and feel a sense of ownership towards the work. It's hard for me not to imagine that some of the spirit of the piece is linked to me.
The concerto is Jaakko’s last completed orchestral work, a piece he conducted on a few occasions after his diagnosis in 2020. The sister work to the concerto is his last opera, Ice, and while a lot of the character of the concerto stems from the epic sound world of the opera, Jaakko also conceals elements, or tributes if you like, in the score. One notable moment is a direct quote from the fight scene from The West Side Story in a pivotal section of the final movement.
Playing these notes holds a special significance for me. Jaakko’s voice is in every melody, every harmony. And while we can’t have a conversation with him anymore, somehow, playing this piece comes close.
Jaakko passed away in 2022.
Tipi performs Jaakko Kuusisto's Cello Concerto, Op.38, with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in ACO Unleashed, touring to Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane,21 Jun – 2 Jul. Click here to buy tickets.
