In the Colors of the Night Sky

6.6.2025 @ 19:00 - 21:00

Hector Berlioz, the father of French Romanticism, composed his song cycle Summer Nights in 1840, during a time when his tumultuous marriage to actress Harriet Smithson had reached its final deadlock. In this melancholic work, embracing both death and love, the themes of loss and hope resonate as equal companions.

The heated harp market of the early 20th century led to the creation of new works, such as Maurice Ravel’s early Introduction and Allegro. Commissioned by the Érard piano factory, this piece was designed to captivate the audience with the harp’s unique magic, a feat it achieved—and continues to achieve. A shining moment in the concert, bathed in the colors of the night sky, will be the performance of a fresh horn quintet by Anna-Mari Kähärä, one of Finland’s most renowned jazz composers.

​​Maurice Ravel: Introduction and Allegro M.46

Ernő Dohnányi: Sextet

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Anna-Mari Kähärä Horn Quintet (World premiere)

Hector Berlioz: Summer Nights Op. 7 (arr. Ville Komppa)

Tuija Knihtilä, mezzosoprano

Liza Ferschtman, violin

Elina Vähälä, violin

Anna-Liisa Bezrodny, volin

Albert Sahlström, violin

Philipp Zuckerman, violin

Annika Sinisalo, violin

Jennifer Stumm, viola

Andres Kaljuste, viola

Alexander ”Santtu” Pozdniakovas, viola

Claudio Bohorquez, cello

Jan-Erik Gustafsson, cello

Johannes Välja, cello

Heidi Rahkonen, double bass

Niamh McKenna, flute

Christoffer Sundqvist, clarinet

Ilkka Puputti, horn

Laura Hynninen, harp

Mackenzie Melemed, piano

Jan Söderblom, conductor

Tickets: 49 / 25€

Main partner of the Naantali Music Festival concert: OP Turun Seutu