Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

FRSO, Nicholas Collon & Kirill Gerstein

The main theme of the third Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninov flows along unimpeded like a mighty force of nature. According to the composer, the theme simply wrote itself. The orchestral Ring of Fire and Love by the season’s Finnish focus composer Outi Tarkiainen in turn parallels mighty natural forces with the journey of a baby down the birth canal. Edward Elgar possibly had some gentler natural force in mind as he took his seat at the piano one evening to improvise on a melody of his own invention. 

To amuse himself and his wife, he characterised each variation as someone they knew, himself and his wife included. At times humorous and at others melancholy, the cavalcade also includes an enigma, hence the Enigma Variations.

Performers:

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (FRSO)

Nicholas Collon, conductor

Kirill Gerstein, piano

Program:

Sergej Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3 D Minor Op. 30

Outi Tarkiainen: Ring of Fire and Love

Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations Op. 36

Helsinki Music Centre, Concert Hall

18. & 19.1.2023 at 19.00

Tickets 9–38€ from Ticketmaster, ticket sales starts 9.12.2022