Jazz Finland Live

UMO premieres the new composition Twelve Fn Kies by Antti Auvinen for big band and Moog synthesizer, in the spring season opening concert. The venue is Savoy Theatre, and the concert is free of charge.

Kari Ikonen plays the analog synthesizer that is in a central role to all the twelve movements. The piece has been composed in close collaboration with the soloist. The essence of space is a key element in the composition, and the composer has justly left plenty of spatial freedom for the soloist and the orchestra. In this sense, the music is created partly impromptu in the course of the performance. Nowadays, everything is more ore less digital, but not in this particular piece of music.

– The Moog is an analog synthesizer developed in the 1960’s that became quite popular among the rock groups of the 1970’s. As an instrument, the Moog is versatile and elastic. It is monophonic, which means that it generates only one note at a time and, therefore, cannot be used for playing harmonies. It is noteworthy, that the Moog has no preset settings, and that is why the tones cannot be defined accurately beforehand but are instead created in the process of playing. Certain risk taking and searching are needed to make music interesting. In the universe of music, the Moog is one of many possible tools for that search. I believe the instrument is so popular among contemporary composers because, as well as an instrument of searching, it is also a means to find something, Auvinen tells of the first composition he has made for UMO.

Mikko Hassinen conducts the orchestra.

Among other things, pianist-composer Kari Ikonen (b. 1973) is the leader of groups Karikko and Kari Ikonen Trio. When the Finnish Jazz Federation awarded Ikonen with the revered Yrjö prize in 2013, the jury praised his musical merits but also the characteristics of his charming personality. Besides playing and composing, Ikonen teaches in Sibelius Academy. He has also made compositions for UMO.

Antti Auvinen (b. 1974) is a composer of contemporary music, and the merits of his bold musical style have been noted in the Finnish and the international music scenes alike. Last year, Auvinen’s chamber opera Autuus was awarded with Teosto prize. As a composer, he is fascinated by the tones and rhythms of music, and he often uses fresh combinations of musical instruments and employs indigenous instruments of various cultures.

The concert is played at Savoy Theatre 12–1 p.m. and is free of charge. Lunch is served next door at restaurant Presto before and after the concert (from €10.20). The lunch is not compulsory, so you can just walk in and enjoy the music.

Production: UMO Jazz Orchestra, Savoy Theatre and restaurant Presto.