The Philharmonic in Petrozavodsk. Not much unlike the cultural palace in
Tambov where I conducted last year...
My trip to Petrozavodsk, to guest conduct the Karelian State Philharmonic Orchestra was really exciting. Not many people in Finland know this orchestra even though it is so close by! Of course it is not so easy to get there - I had to sit in a "taxi" for 13 hours to get there from my home in southern Finland!
Orchestra's solo cellist discussing with administrator Olga Palchikova at
the philharmonic office
The concert hall from the inside
This orchestra is the only full-size (60 members) symphonic orchestra in the Karelian Republic, Russia, and it resides in the capital Petrozavodsk (280 000 inhabitants). In Petrozavodsk there are still a couple of thousand Finns and Karelian-speakers (a Fenno-Ugric language as well). I myself am a 1/4 Karelian so this trip was especially interesting to me. On this trip I spoke Finnish with only three people though...
Musicians arriving to the rehearsal
The orchestra works 4 or 5 days a week, and the rehearsal is quite short, only 3 hours. I had 4 days of rehearsals and the dress rehearsal and concert on Saturday. I am used to fewer but longer rehearsals, so I did not always manage to use my time maximally efficiently, and unfortunately this happened at the expense of the symphony (Sibelius 5th). On the other hand the solo pieces (Debussy Rhapsody for clarinet and orchestra and Grieg Piano Concerto) came out fantastic. Next time I will be more wary of the time and also can take better into account the strengths and weaknesses of this particular orchestra.
My soloist for the Grieg piano concerto, Aleksandr Onkin
I really enjoyed working with the orchestra and the administration, and made many new friends in the city! The best thing is I am going back to conduct them again already in January! In Finland I mostly work with chamber orchestras, so I am really looking forward to the possibility to conduct some "big things" in Karelia in the coming years.