Saariaho Festival (photo by Foppe Schut)

Saariaho Festival 2025

Recap 13 until 16 March 2025
The dreamlike world of a modern genius

In the summer of 2023, Kaija Saariaho passed away at the age of seventy. She was at the height of her fame and was celebrated as the composer who gave modernism a face that was both human and fairy-tale like. The Muziekgebouw paid tribute to her with the Saariaho Festival.

See images from all days of the Festival below!

13 March

• Masterclass cello by Anssi Karttunen
• Masterclass by Peter Sellars with students from the Dutch National Opera Academy
'So moving' (Trouw)

• Opening concert Saariaho Festival by Asko|Schönberg, Verneri Pohjola + Joseph Puglia
★★★★ - 'Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola is already providing one of the most memorable musical moments of 2025' (NRC)
★★★★★ - 'Magical, how trumpeter Verneri Pohjola alternates furious outbursts with panicked screams' (Volkskrant)

14 March

• Masterclass strings by Meta4
• Masterclass trumpet by Verneri Pohjola
• Terra Memoria by Meta4
'With an invincible spirit' (Nieuwe Noten)

• From the IJ by Tuomas Norvio + John Paul Jones

15 March

• Saariaho’s chamber music by Het Collectief + Liesbeth Devos
• Reconnaissance by the Helsinki Chamber Choir
'A beautiful combination of modest sounds and dynamic expression' (Nieuwe Noten)

• Sons of Chipotle by Anssi Karttunen + John Paul Jones

16 March

• Animal Image by Verneri Pohjola & Mika Kallio
• Closing concert Kaija Saariaho and Anssi Karttunen with Asko|Schönberg
'Unmistakable and dreamy' (NRC)

Photo's by Foppe Schut

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