Fiendish folk meets a playful classic.

Pekka Kuusisto takes on the dual role of conductor and violin soloist.

Finnish musician Pekka Kuusisto is one of the freshest and most original talents in orchestral music today. In this concert he takes on the dual role of soloist and director, giving the Australian première of Time and Tides, a violin concerto specially written for him by Anna Clyne and co-commissioned by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.

Described by The Scotsman as ‘a fiendishly challenging, deeply extrovert piece’, Time and Tides draws upon maritime-themed folk songs from Britain, Finland and America. Used as a starting point, the folk songs take on ever more complex iterations, guided by the extraordinary musicianship of Pekka Kuusisto.

After the folk-song inspired first half, Kuusisto steps up to the podium to conduct Beethoven’s bold and inventive Symphony No 1.

Watch the livestream on Saturday 18 Oct 2025 7:30pm
Available on demand Monday 3 November until Monday 1 December

PROGRAM
Rautavaara, Pelimannit (The Fiddlers) Op 1
Clyne, Time and Tides
Beethoven, Symphony No 1 in C, Op 21

Time and Tides was co-commissioned by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra with thanks to private donors.

MUSICIANS
Conductor: Pekka Kuusisto
Violin: Pekka Kuusisto
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart