Go to the main content
Discover season 2024/25 from 25 April on our website.
Logo Concertgebouw Brugge
Logo Concertgebouw Brugge

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra & Tero Saarinen Company

Sibelius. Symphony no. 5

this event is part of

Topstuk Sibelius

dance
orchestral
Fri 11 Oct 2019 -20.00
introduction by Pieter Bergé 19.15
start 20.00
expected end time 22.00
with break
All prices include booking fees.

Sibelius’s monument by the original orchestra

Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony, a triumphant, heroic, vibrant work, was composed to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. At its premiere Sibelius himself conducted the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, which is also performing it for us here in Bruges. In his Fifth, Sibelius pulls out all the stops and treats his audience to a listening course in heroism. Those who hear its six hammer-blow final chords will readily agree with the following entry from Sibelius's diary: ‘When I climb the mountain, God opens His gates and His orchestra plays my Fifth Symphony.’ While writing this masterpiece, Sibelius saw sixteen wild swans flying over the Finnish landscape. A wonderful experience that completely enchanted him and provided the inspiration for his tone poem The Swan of Tuonela. The first part of the evening ends with a danced version of Zimmerman’s Cello Concerto by the Tero Saarinen Company.

credits

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
The Swan of Tuonela, opus 22 no. 2

Bernd-Alois Zimmermann (1918-1970)
Cello Concerto

Jean Sibelius
Symphony no. 5 in E-flat, opus 82
--
Zimmermann Trio commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic & Helsinki Festival, with the support of the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.

With thanks to Trasparenze Festival (Modena), Teatro dei Venti (Modena) & ATER – Associazione Teatrale Emilia Romagna.

This concert is part of the Cultural Programme for Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
The Swan of Tuonela, opus 22 no. 2

Bernd-Alois Zimmermann (1918-1970)
Cello Concert

executives

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra: orchestra
Susanna Mälkki: conductor
Oren Shevlin: cello
Tero Saarinen Company: dance
Tero Saarinen: choreography
Jenna Broas, Misa Lommi, David Scarantino: dance
Mikki Kunttu: light and set design
Erika Turunen: costume design and construction elements
Sini Länsivuori: choreography assistance
Satu Halttunen: rehearsal director

read less

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra: orchestra
Susanna Mälkki: conductor
Oren Shevlin: cello
Tero Saarinen Company

Fri 11 Oct 2019 -20.00
introduction by Pieter Bergé 19.15
start 20.00
expected end time 22.00
with break
All prices include booking fees.