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Who was Olly

Anssi Karttunen
Great Cellists
Thu 5 Oct 20:15
Main Hall
Past event
Thu 5 Oct
20:15
Past event

Homage to a great composer and wonderful person

Program

Oliver Knussen Eccentric Melody 
Esa-Pekka Salonen Arabesques for Olly 
Rob Zuidam F'Olly 
Julian Anderson Maisema 
Detlev Glanert Little Letter for Olly 
Colin Matthews Three Fragments 
Philip Cashian The Art of Memory 
Sean Shepherd familiar 
Charlotte Bray From the innermost places 
Oliver Knussen Tarantella 
Tansy Davies gem 
Poul Ruders Last Post - a tune for Olly 
Augusta Read Thomas Riddle 
Ryan Wigglesworth Barcarolly 
Jo Kondo A Song for the Owl 
Mark-Anthony Turnage Song for Big Owl 
Brad Lubman For Anssi for OK 
Kaija Saariaho Lullaby 
Zoe Martlew O-lude 

Musicians

Anssi Karttunen cello

 

In 2018, the composer and conductor Oliver Knussen passed away. With him, the music world lost a great musician, but more importantly a beloved and wonderful human being. Knussen was popular in the Muziekgebouw, as well. He has been honoured by many of his colleagues, who spontaneously composed homages to him. These people included Kaija Saariaho, Rob Zuidam and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Cellist Anssi Karttunen brings all these works together. Karttunen will also perform two short solos by Knussen himself, who was a good friend of his: Tarantella (to the letters of the name ‘Saariaho’) and Eccentric melody, a magical gem.

Excluding Knussen, there will be pieces by seventeen different composers. Some studied with Knussen, like Augusta Read Thomas and Mark-Anthony Turnage, others were friends or close colleagues. Stylistically the works are incredibly diverse, creating a nice landscape of time. The finale is the soundscape O-lude by Zoe Martlew. Videos will be shown and memories shared of ‘Olly’, Knussen’s nickname.

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