Programme:
Rautavaara. Rune 42 “The Abduction of the Sampo” (Sammon ryöstö)
Tormis. Kalevala Rune XVII “Vipunen’s Visit” (Vipusessa käynti)

Two large-scale works for male choir stem from the same root – the Finnish national epic, the “Kalevala.” However, their musical approaches are quite contrasting in terms of both sound and genre. Einojuhani Rautavaara’s 45-minute piece is structured as a chamber opera for soloists, male choir, and tape. Veljo Tormis’s 35-minute, single-movement work, with its immense formal arc and musical development reaches symphonic proportions.

With over 90 male singers on stage, this concert promises listeners a unique, unforgettable, and powerful experience.