Oslo Philharmonic

“Sibelius’ music is in Mäkelä’s DNA and it was exciting to watch him bring a fresh perspective to the work. He barely took his eyes off the players, turning his score pages from memory, sometimes a few at once, conducting with an unflustered and mature economic elegance drawing on contrasts and textures. The players responded wonderfully, from the beguiling clarinet solo through the waves of unease and passion and, as the brass came in, the power of a full orchestra as we have not heard for months was overwhelming …”

David Smythe, Bachtrack.com, 9 December 2020

“… this was music-making of astonishing command and vision …. Not so much a name to watch as a name already here: Mäkelä has what it takes.”

Ates Orga, www.colinscolumn.com, 10 December 2020

” … The Sibelius Symphony No. 1 weaves a spell all its own: with its swirling, hostile north winds and gut-punching melodies that suggest foreboding or heartbreak, it often feels like a Finnish symphonic Winterreise. Just the piece for a midwinter night when we are facing a terrifying unknown future. The Oslo Phil’s string sections went for broke, their clarinettist was peerless and Mäkelä’s mingling of rapt focus, clarity and great-heartedness proved a winning blend.”

The Arts Desk, Jessica Duchen, 10 December 2020

Programme:
Kodaly: Dances of Galánta
Debussy: Danse sacrée et danse profane
Gupta: Earth’s Song: Epilogue
Sibelius: Symphony No. 1