Songs of the Earth
Welcome to an exciting year 2021.
A year when the world holds its´ breath and is waiting to open from a one-year-stand-still. The theme for 2021 is called Songs of the Earth and comes from the iconic piece ”Das Lied von der Erde” by Gustav Mahler and is focusing on the climate and the nature. Mats Larsson Gothe is our composer in residence and has also been inspired by Mahler. In the opening concert we will hear his piece for string orchestra with almost the same name: ”Lied von der Erde”. Several works by Larsson Gothe will during the week be performed, a chamber opera, a string quartet, a piece for cello and piano and a world premiere, a work for solo violin. Another composer, the Finnish contemporary composer Sebastian Fagerlund, will visit the festival and his bassoon quintet, Woodlands Variations, will be played for the first time in Finland. The festival is greeting artists from Europe and Finland. Astor Piazzolla would have turned 100 this year. His own concert will be at Ritz in Vaasa with top musicians such as Maria Ylipää, vocal, Jaakko Kuusisto, violin, Veli Kujala, accordion, Ville Herrala, double bass and Marzi Nyman, guitar. The festival will be a hybrid of both live and streamed concerts.
