Last ever curtain call of this incarnation of English National Opera before the orchestra etc is disbanded. Coincidentally my 2 boys’ (8 & 11) first ever opera (Magic Flute). They were enthralled and thrilled. Those who have let this happen to ENO should be ashamed.

Tonight live from Helsinki: Sibelius Symphony no. 4; Purgatorio, Paradiso & Alchymia (the last three by me)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

19:00 Helsinki time (5pm UK)

areena.yle.fi/1-67700834

Still a few tickets left for tonight and Saturday Southbank Centre with Aurora Orchestra . Schubert’s Winterreise is a miracle and Zender’s arrangement is so moving. Allan Clayton is the most brilliant protagonist southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/class…

Maris Gothoni appointed as the General Manager of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli…

Fun fact: If Celine Dion sang only the vowels in her name, it would be in the lyrics to Old McDonalds Farm.

Moggy-murdering Maestro theguardian.com/world/2024/jan…

Watching Iveta Apkalna’s wonderful encore from side of stage. On the left through the glass is Iveta in ‘real-life’. On the screen she’s live on TV!

Watch live tonight. The stunning new organ in Poulenc’s concerto and Mahler’s 5th symphony. 5pm UK time 😊

Finnish kids ice skating before school in -15 degrees.

New to darts but enjoying this immensely. Question-how on earth do they do the mental arithmetic so quickly? And b) do they ever get it wrong?

Maestro is a simply wonderful film. Stunning cinematography, dialogue, incredible acting. An amazing dissection of the troubled artist and the turbulence they cause. Do spend 2 mins after watching it to see what the great conductor actually looked like m.youtube.com/watch?v=eifZHw…

French TV show invited people with unusual laughs to sit together

This is slightly reminiscent of the dinner I have just had with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra on tour in Amsterdam

Sunak's emergency press conference in full

It's the final day to apply for our Principal Oboe position! Could it be you?

#orchestrajobs #artsjobs #musicjobs #musician #oboe

Find out more auroraorchestra.com/2023/11/princi…

We’ve all been here

Independence Day concert 🇫🇮 coming up in a few mins at 3pm (1pm uk time) live on TV and link here. Sibelius 3 / Esa-Pekka Salonen vn concerto with stunning Tami Pohjola and Lindberg’s Serenades. PLUS Finlandia…. naturally areena.yle.fi/1-63606597

This really is a hugely successful and important initiative. We would be so grateful for your support, of whatever size. And your donation will be DOUBLED!! 😀

So enjoyed Mahler 5 last night with DresdnerPhilharmonie . Apparently the last time they played the piece it was a complete disaster. 5 points for guessing who the conductor was on that occasion…?
(📷Oliver Kohl.killig)

Fascinating read as I travel from snowy Dresden to snowier Helsinki to conduct some Sibelius….