Music of season concert on 3rd of April shows new realities of post-World War II world
Published 27.03.2025
KSO’s soloist will be Senja Rummukainen, one of the leading Finnish cellists
The Kuopio Symphony Orchestra’s New Realities season concert on Thursday 3rd of April at 6 pm offers a touching glimpse into the contradictory realities of the post-World War II world. The concert, which organized at the Kuopio Music Centre’s Concert Hall, will open with Bohuslav Martinů’s Overture, which reflects a new optimism. Senja Rummukainen, familiar to the Kuopio audience, will perform Mieczysław Weinberg’s melodic Cello Concerto. The concert will end with Dimitri Shostakovich’s satirical 9th Symphony conducted by the chief conductor Eugene Tzigane. There will be also students from Savonia University of Applied Sciences and Kuopio Conservatory playing at the orchestra.
World War II left many people in vastly different circumstances than before the war. After spending the war years in New York, the Czech composer, Bohuslav Martinů, returned to his beloved France, channeling his newfound joy into his vibrant and optimistic neo-classical Overture.
In contrast, Polish composer, Mieczysław Weinberg, sought refuge in the Soviet Union, where he found new inspiration. The rich musical traditions of his temporary home in Tashkent exposed him to the musical cultures of Central Asia, which were woven into his evocative Cello Concerto. The work will be interpreted by Senja Rummukainen, one of the leading Finnish cellists, revisiting Kuopio.
Meanwhile, expectations were high that Dimitri Shostakovich would compose a grand “Victory Symphony” to glorify the Soviet triumph in the war. Instead, he produced a satirical, diminutive symphony that subverted the regime’s propaganda needs and served as a subtle critique of their oppressive rule.
On the same day, 3rd of April at noon you can enjoy KSO’s open rehearsal, where the orchestra will play excerpts of the evening’s concert programme under the baton of Eugene Tzigane. Admission to the open rehearsal is free. In addition, you can enjoy restaurant Oodi’s buffet lunch in the Hall of Light between 11 am and 2 pm. The price of lunch is 12 euros.
Before the concert, at 5:30 pm at the Kuopio Music Centre Hall of Light, a Pre-Talk event open to everyone is organized.
Tickets: 33 € / 27 € senior citizens and groups min. 20 persons / 11 € children under the age of 16 and students
4 € concert day discount ticket for students and young people under the age of 20 (available for purchase on the concert day at the Kuopio Music Centre Ticket Office)
Prices include the Kuopio Music Centre service fee 2 € / ticket. The service fees vary depending on the place of purchase.
KUOPIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Producer & Publicity Manager Elina Prepula, tel. 044 718 2364, elina.prepula(at)kuopio.fi
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