© Kaari-Ensemble

Experience the premiere of contemporary choral music in Berlin

Finish Kaari-Ensemble and composer Jennah Vainio talk about "At Midnight"

Grand Prix of Nations

A competition category, which is offered only at a few INTERKULTUR events, is "Musica Contemporanea" (Contemporary Choral Music). At the Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017 some of the best amateur choirs have registered for this category and will be presenting a challenging competition program, including a premiere dedicated to the Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017.

The Kaari-Ensemble, a female choir from Finland that also took part in the 5th Int. Anton Bruckner Choir Competition and Festival in Linz 2015 will compete in two categories of the Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017: "Musica Contemporanea” and "Chamber Choirs / Vocalensembles".

For the premiere, the choir commissioned a composer friend to write a work for this occasion. "Our conductor Saara Aittakumpu and the composer Jennah Vainio have collaborated in several projects over the last ten years," mentioned Loviisa Hynninen, president of the Kaari-Ensemble. "Thus it was natural to commission the work from her. Jennah has visited our rehearsals during the rehearsal period, and we have discussed about the piece together. It’s interesting and challenging, but also very enjoyable to sing. Jennah really knows how to write a choir piece!" said Loviisa Hynninen.

The contemporary piece is called "At Midnight" and is based on a poem by the US American writer Sara Teasdale. Searching for suitable texts for her compositions Jenna Vainio stumbled across the works of Teasdale. "I immediately became fascinated by her personal touch and decided to find out more about her," she reported. Teasdales texts are characterized by emotional and romantic thoughts about love, nature and death.

The poem "At midnight" evoked feelings of emptiness and transience, she notes. "All that we try to accomplish in our short lives – fame and fortune, love and friendship – is like the very life we're living – only a misty haze – soon to be forgotten in the plenty of time."

The final sound of the harmony of words and music can be heard at the premiere in Berlin. And the composer herself will also be there to witness this unique moment.

The Competition Concert "Musica Contemporanea" will take place on February 3 from 8 pm in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berliner Philharmonie. Tickets for the concert are available via the ticket system of the Berlin Radio Choir. 

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