2011

Emma Larsson Performance

IMG_0707.jpg

Feb 18, 2011

Emma Larsson, a Swedish jazz singer educated at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, drew a full house at the Salmagundi bar. She performed some old classics as well as some of the tunes from her new album ‘Let it Go’. The respected jazz magazine All About Jazz says it well, “Larsson represents a new class of vocalists who are pushing the limits of jazz vocals to the edge of post bop conventional wisdom into a realm not otherwise traveled.” The third performer in our series of Female Vocal Talent, Emma got the audience’s attention and appreciation. She was accompanied by expert guitarist Shan Kenner.

Female Artist Club Series Opening Was a Success!

01.png

Feb 18, 2011

Finland Center hosts a new club series of female voice talent and our first event together with the Arctic Circle Meetup Groupwas a huge success! First club evening gathered together a crowded room of Finns to enjoy special Finnish Menu & drinks together. Lovely performer Jaana Kantola was cheered with an encore with loud applauses.

Check out the party photos from Finland Center’s Facebook page. During February and March you will have a chance to see artists, get together and meet new people. Come to practice your Finnish and connect with other Friends of Finland!

Recital: Viktoriya Papayani, piano

viktoriyan.jpg

Jan 29, 2011

On January 29, we had the pleasure of hearing Viktoriya Papayani present a varied and interesting program at the Salmagundi Club. As she did at last year’s concert, Ms. Papayani introduced each piece with brief historical background commentary. This informal style is well suited for the intimate atmosphere of the gallery space at the club, which has excellent acoustics (but unfortunately also a squeaky wood floor, which resulted in some murderous glances thrown at latecomers). Ms. Papayani again showed her impeccable skill in the technically demanding Scriabin piece (Piano Sonata #3), as well as her sensitivity in the interpretations of the stark Bach Prelude and Fugue in B minor and Haydn’s joyous Sonata in C major. The program ended in a more modern style with Ligeti’s Etude 4: Fanfares, with its hint of jazz rhythms and Piazzolla’s Tango #1 from the Tango Suite.