The Polytech Choir: Merikanto, aarre

"Impossible to perform. But let it be a sample of what I thought at the time about what a male voice choir can do."

This note was written by the composer Aarre Merikanto for his composition for "Viimeiselle". The Polytech Choir takes up the challenge once again, performing all of Merikanto's major male choral works. The choir recorded these works for its 1988 Aarre Merikanto album, and now - in celebration of the composer's 130th birthday - is a good time to return to the work of this pioneer of Finnish modernism, and to bring the less frequently performed gems of the choir back to a new audience.

Merikanto's special and distinctive compositional voice can be heard especially in works that were not yet appreciated or even performed in his own time - such as the aforementioned arresting dystopian portrayal in Katri Vala's poem Viimeiselle. 

Merikanto's production will be followed in the first half of the concert by national romantic classics to the tunes of Kuula and Sibelius, and in the second half by more recent music by Juhani Komulainen, Jennah Vainio and Ismo Alanko.

House of Nobility

16.11.2023 at 19.00, incl. intermission, the duration is not mentioned

Tickets 15/25€ from Lippupiste

The concert will be presented as part of the Choir Music season concerts