A carved facade appears on the organ map of the world

After the construction trip As of 2019, the organ façade of the Musiikkitalo Concert Hall has been completed, transforming it into a visually stunning masterpiece that rivals iconic structures such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Designed by Building a rigger deviceDevice designer Harald Black And CEO Wendlyn EberleThe unique interface itself is a work of art. The Rieger Concert Hall’s handcrafted instruments, which embody a combination of 124 sounds and cutting-edge technology, are scheduled to be fully operational by January 1, 2024.

These exceptional organs feature 124 exceptional sounds and incorporate the latest technology. In a departure from tradition, some of the air ducts inside the organs were brought to the fore as visual elements. The curved elements of the facade are composed of resonant tubes and air channels, and the total number of wooden tubes and channels installed is about 260 metres, highlighting the grandeur of this musical instrument. In terms of size, this organ ranks among the largest modern concert hall organs in the world. What sets them apart is the inclusion of two operating units, one mechanically linked to the organ and one that can be moved freely on the orchestral stage.

Finishing, tuning and testing work will continue for members throughout the upcoming fall semester. The grand opening of the organs is scheduled for January 1, 2024, with a performance by the famous French organist, Olivier Latry. In 2024, Musiikkitalo will host nearly 30 concerts and events featuring this magnificent organ. The coordination of organ activities in the Musiikkitalo Concert Hall is supervised by the Musiikkitalon Urut Soimaan ry Association, and the schedule of concerts and events can be found on their website, www.urutsoimaan.fi.

The idea of ​​installing an organ in the Musiikkitalo Concert Hall dates back to its construction in 2011, prompted by the desire of the hall’s symphony orchestras to have the organ as part of their repertoire. However, due to resource constraints, the organs were not constructed initially. The dream became a reality in 2017 when the composer Kaija Sariaho He generously donated €1 million to the Musiikkitalo Organ Building Foundation. This donation was followed by project funding from various stakeholders, including the City of Helsinki, YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), the Ministry of Education and Culture, and €1.7 million in donations from seven different foundations and funds. The total funding for the project amounts to 4.4 million euros.

Upon unveiling the project, the Musiikkitalo Foundation launched an organ naming campaign, which raised more than €200,000 for organ music, organ program production, and events. The campaign is still ongoing. An exclusive preview showing of the organs will take place in the Concert Hall on Saturday 14 October 2023 at 11am for all supporters who have purchased the named organs.

HT