‘Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Salonen & Wang’

In 2026, Klarafestival opens with a Franco-Finnish concert programme. Scandinavian serenity is represented by Sibelius, with his final Seventh Symphony in C Major. Only the godfather of Finnish music can make that perennial key sound so fresh. His pupil and fellow Neoromantic Einojuhani Rautavaara followed suit with his First Piano Concerto in 1969. The two Finns are set against an idiosyncratic French duo. Ravel went all-out for drama and virtuosity in his Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. Debussy, in turn, sketches his impression of the ocean waves in the three-part La Mer. The Finn Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the Swedish Symphony Orchestra in this orchestral opening concert. Yuja Wang gets to roll up her sleeves – or the left one, at least – for the piano solo.