I am right now leaving for Petrozavodsk, Russia, to conduct a concert with the Karelian State Symphony Orchestra. I will have a great program there: Debussy Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra, Grieg Piano Concerto and Sibelius Fifth Symphony!

Since there are no flights at the moment from Finland to Petrozavodsk, and the train via St Petersburg would have taken too much time, I am driving there by Russian "taxi". The trip will take something like 14 hours! When I am there I can hopefully meet some local Finns (there is supposed to be an important Finnish minority living in the city) and maybe see the conservatory too.