Tapiola Choir's 45 Years jubilee concert.

We felt a sense of history at this concert in several ways. It is significant that the Tapiola Choir has continued to go from strength to strength in Finland and abroad. It is also important that throughout its existence the Choir has been led by top professionals. Saturday 8 November saw the début of the Choir’s new conductor, sopranista Pasi Hyökki, on the stage of Tapiola Hall.

It was clear beyond doubt that the Tapiola Choir had found the right conductor. Having himself sung in the Tapiola Choir for many years as a child, Pasi has thoroughly adopted the fundamental features of music-making that characterize Finland’s internationally best-known choral ensemble. As an encore, the audience was treated to Pasi’s sopranista solo in On suuri sun rantas autius (Thy shore is wide and desolate).

The three conductors  (photo Esa Kivivuori)

Towards the end of the concert, centre stage was taken by the previous conductor, Kari Ala-Pöllänen. He led the choir into the mysterious soundscape of a Native American forest in Canada, dappled with a misty light. Skilful choreography augmented the effect.

And then – the man who started it all, the founder of the Tapiola Choir, Professor Erkki Pohjola! The touching tones of Sibelius’s Sydämeni laulu (Song of my Heart) created a memorable moment unlike any other. The packed Tapiola Hall honoured the creator of this unique choral pioneer with a standing ovation.

This historical concert also included compositions by alumni of the Choir, Annika Fuhrmann and Harri Wessman. Providing context for Harri Wessman’s Vesi väsyy lumen alle (Water Under Snow is Weary), the perennial Christmas hit of the Tapiola Choir, Pasi conducted a series of other works written by Harri at about the same time. Annika Fuhrmann won the composition competition organized by the Tapiola Choir in 2006 with her work Loitsu kateuksia vastaan (Spell against envies). The entire cycle was performed with gusto by the Choir.