Piano Concerto, Sinfonietta : Sigfridsson, Storgards / Tampere Philharmonic

Kimmo Hakola:
Piano Concerto (1996)
Sinfonietta (1999)

Henri Sigfridsson, piano
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
John Storgards, conductor

recorded 12/2007

Finnish composer Kimmo Hakola was recently portrayed by The New York Times as, "possessed of a joyful, mischievous spirit." The article described his music as "mixing together shapely lyricism, atonality, quirky folkishness and an almost hedonistic approach to timbre and rhythm" - an ideal characterization of the monumental Piano Concerto, which is the main feature on this new CD release in celebration of Hakola's 50th birthday.

The 55-minute work is cast in no less than nine stirring movements, which combine scintillating virtuosity with powerful emotions and humor. With hints of jazz and folk music, in addition to parodist episodes of serial music, Hakola here produces unorthodox and accessible classical music at its best. Coupled with the Piano Concerto is the Sinfonietta for orchestra, a 15-minute work of relentless virtuoso energy.

The acclaimed young Finnish pianist Henri Sigfridsson is accompanied by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor John Storgards who have made award-winning recordings of contemporary music. ( Ondine )