The promising young organist Aleksanteri Wallius (b.1999) recently won the first prize in the prestigious and high-level Bachpreis Wiesbaden organ competition in Germany. The organist, whose career is on a glorious upswing, was selected among 10 competitors for the Longwood Gardens organ competition in the United States in June. Wallius regularly performs concerts as a recitalist and as part of choirs and various ensembles, e.g. at major organ festivals in Finland and elsewhere in Europe.

Wallius is particularly interested in French symphonic organ music of the 19th and 20th centuries. At the Organ Night and Aria Festival, he takes on e.g. Louis Vierne’s works. The program also includes e.g. Music by Sergei Prokofiev, Veli Kujala and Johan Sebastian Bach.

Organ music has had a very special place at the Organ Night and Aria festival since 1986, when the organist, mus.dir. Matti Vainio founded the festival and served as its first artistic director until 2005. In the echoes of the organ recital, let our respect ring out to the memory of the recently deceased Matti Vainio.

Espoo Cathedral
Kirkkopuisto 5, Espoo

Program

Sergei Prokofjev (1891–1953): Toccata op. 11, arr. Jean Guillou
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750):
Trio sonata E Minor BWV 528: II Andante
Prelude ja fuga D Major BWV 532
Veli Kujala (1976–): Azul
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937): Pavane pour une infante défunte, arr. Seutin
Franz Liszt (1811–1886): Funérailles, arr. Louis Robilliard
Louis Vierne (1870–1937): Symphonie V, Finale V