TCM: 10th Anniversary Concert – Glow of Light

Event info

Thursday. January 22th 2026, 7:00PM
Small Auditorium, Tampere Hall (osoite: Yliopistonkatu 55, Tampere)
Tickets34 €, seniors 29 €, youth and children 10 €

“Since 2017, Tampere Chamber Music has brought some of the world’s finest chamber musicians to Tampere in the heart of the cold January winter. Festivals are the best places for musicians to form friendships. I have met many of the artists appearing at this festival for the first time in places like Korsholm, Kuhmo, and so on. My warmest thanks to the artistic directors Frans Helmerson, Seppo Kimanen, Marko Ylönen, and the late Vladimir Mendelssohn.

My first encounter with Robert Cohen was through Schubert’s Piano Trio in B-flat major. It remains one of the most meaningful musical moments of my life. Of course, I had already heard him perform in Kuhmo when I was still in school, with Ana Chumachenko as the violinist. Robert has been part of the festival from the very beginning, and now is the perfect moment to return to Schubert—this time together with Réka Szilvay. This work is one of my dearest.

Warmth and humanity, the power of expression—these are qualities we share when we play together. A person reveals much about themselves through their playing. And since making music is so much about sharing energies, these energies naturally seek one another. This is why the festival has its core family, which is always enriched by new members.

Everything begins with energy and breath. Dance and music share the same movement-energy, and dance has always been very dear to me. As a child I danced to music—I even bought myself pointe shoes. When I play, I dance, because for me the space between the sounds is what matters most, the space between beats the most essential. I speak of inner movement and energy.

When combining music and dance, I first shape my understanding of the work through my own vision. New sprouts grow from that, inspiring us, and soon we find ourselves on a shared path, one that moves in a world free of obstacles. Perhaps this is some kind of creative flow state that we reach together.

As artistic director, I feel deeply privileged to bring all these artists to Tampere and to offer audiences profound and moving artistic experiences.

The anniversary theme, ‘dance of colours and light,’ celebrates many aspects of the festival—movement, rhythm, dance, energy, the power of music, and holistic wellbeing. Light, northern lights, friendship, and the joy of life shine through the programme choices: Mozart, Schubert, Brahms, Arensky, Dvořák, Suk, Debussy, Ravel, Golijov, Prokofiev, Bartók, and Korngold.

Golijov’s powerful work reminds us of the strength of inner light and dreams. Even when we cannot see light with our eyes, we can create it through music and through our own inner force.

With these words, I warmly wish Tampere Chamber Music—now ten years old—many congratulations and many more years to come!”

Heini Kärkkäinen
Artistic Director, Tampere Chamber Music Festival

Programme and Performers:

Osvaldo Golijov: The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind
Prelude: Calmo, Sospeso
I. Agitato-Con Fuoco-Maestoso-Senza Misura, Oscilante
II. Teneramente-Ruvido-Presto
III. Calmo, Sospeso-Allegro Pesante
Postlude: Lento, Liberamente

Laura Vikman, violin
Priya Mitchell, violin
Lars Anders Tomter, viola
Torleif Thedéen, cello
Christoffer Sundqvist, clarinet
Minna Tervamäki, dance

Franz Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 99, D. 898
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante un poco mosso
III. Scherzo (Allegro)
IV. Rondo (Allegro vivace) 

Réka Szilvay, violin
Robert Cohen, cello
Heini Kärkkäinen, piano

INTERMISSION

Antonín Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 87, B. 162
I. Allegro con fuoco
II. Lento
III. Allegro moderato, grazioso
IV. Finale. Allegro,ma non troppo

Priya Mitchell, violin
Lars Anders Tomter, viola
Torleif Thedéen, cello
Natacha Kudritskaya, piano

The concert lasts approximately 1.5 hours, including an intermission.

Subject to change.

Production: Tampere Chamber Music

This concert is part of the Tampere Chamber Music Festival.