The Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra and Juilliard Orchestra Announce Tour

The Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra and the Juilliard Orchestra have announced that the two orchestras will collaborate to celebrate the centenary of Finland’s independence with a concert tour led by conductor/composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, who is an alumnus of the Sibelius Academy and a regular guest at Juilliard.

The tour stops at the Music Centre in Helsinki on Saturday, August 26, 2017; the Baltic Sea Festival in Stockholm on Monday, August 28, 2017; and at Alice Tully Hall on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. 

The program of the concert includes Lemminkäinen Suite, Op. 22 (Four Legends From the Kalevala) by Jean Sibelius; Mania by Esa-Pekka Salonen (2000); and Radical Light (2006-7) by late composer and Juilliard faculty member Steven Stucky.

“It is excellent to be able to celebrate 100 years of Finnish independence with a project shared with Juilliard and Esa-Pekka Salonen,” said Tuomas Auvinen, dean of the Sibelius Academy. “We combine tradition with skills and youthful enthusiasm. We are internationally oriented and boldly forward-looking. High-quality education and internationalism mark the way forward for Finland’s next 100 years.”

“Juilliard is delighted to take part in this collaborative project with the Sibelius Academy as we celebrate not only Finland’s centenary, but also its immensely rich musical legacy,” said Ara Guzelimian, provost and dean. “There are so many extraordinary Finnish composers and performers, including Esa-Pekka Salonen, who are central to today’s international musical-life. We are also very gratified to celebrate our late colleague Steven Stucky, who enjoyed such a close and fruitful musical friendship with Esa-Pekka Salonen. This is a meaningful project for all of us at Juilliard.”

The tour is sponsored by Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, the Sibelius Academy Foundation, and Wärtsilä Corporation.