Atso Almila
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Jorma Hynninen
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Atso Almila, Jorma Hynninen, FinnFest USA '96, and Marquette Choral Society
Atso Almila is a young Finnish orchestral conductor and composer and Jorma Hynninen is a world-class operatic baritone from Finland. The Marquette Choral Society had a unique opportunity to work with them in the context of FinnFest USA '96 which was held in Marquette in August of 1996.
John Kiltinen, a charter member of the Marquette Choral Society, was a member of the FinnFest USA '96 organizing committee. He wanted to use the event to highlight for the Marquette area audience, as well as for the Finnish-Americans coming to the festival, the best that the very vital Finnish musical community has to offer, and to bring about some collaboration between American and Finnish musicians, both professional and amateur. This desire brought together a once-in-a-lifetime grouping of Finns and Americans for a musical happening the likes of which Marquette has never seen before.
The timing of the festival made it possible to include the Superior String Alliance's Festival Orchestra in the plan since FinnFest USA '96 occurred at the time that they were to have their annual series of concerts. Jorma Hynninen agreed two years in advance to come to sing for the concert. Floyd Slotterback agreed to take on the project for Summer Choral Society, so the stage was set.
After a search process to find the right composer, John Kiltinen and his wife, Pauline, commissioned Almila to write a work for baritone soloist, chorus, and symphony orchestra. The result was a cantata titled "Main Paras Vaif" (My Best Wife) which had its world premiere at the FinnFest USA '96 Gala Festival Concert on August 8, 1996.
This new work is now available in a digital recording of music from FinnFest USA '96 on CD and tape cassette. It was also featured on a nationally syndicated radio program called Finland Festivals produced by WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh.
Almila has been the principal conductor of the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, is currently the principal conductor of the Joensuu Municipal Orchestra, and the Kuopio City Orchestra in Finland. Since 1982, he has been the musical chief of the National Theatre of Finland. He has also served as the conductor for several productions with the Finnish National Opera.
As a composer, Almila has two operas to his credit, Thirty Pieces of Silver and America. He has composed a symphony for brass quintet and orchestra and many concertos including ones for violin and trombone. His composing credits also include chamber music for brass and other ensembles, and theater and movie music.
Hynninen is the best known of Finland's opera singers and is a regular performer in the great opera houses in Europe and the United States. He is a recognized artistic leader in Finland, having served as the artistic director of the Finnish National Opera and the Savonlinna Opera Festival. He is regarded by some as one of the best interpreters of the art song repertoire for baritone in the world today.
More about Atso Almila
(This link goes to archival information from FinnFest USA '96 about Atso Almila.)
More about Jorma Hynninen
(This link goes to archival information from FinnFest USA '96 about Jorma Hynninen.)
The FinnFest Potpourri Recording
(Take this link for more information about the recording featuring the Choral Society's performance of the Almila work.)
Choral Society Nationally Syndicated
(This page tells about the nationally syndicated radio program.)
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Last Update: September 2, 1998
This page maintained and owned by John Kiltinenkiltinen@nmu.edu. Comments and suggestions welcome.. Required Link to a Northern Michigan University disclaimer statement.