17.4.2026

Markku Klami: Violin Concerto: A Requiem

Markku Klami: Violin Concerto: A Requiem

Solo violin & orchestra: 2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/perc, strings. (2nd flute doubling piccolo, 2nd clarinet doubling bass clarinet)

28′

Maria Puusaari, viulu
Tampere Filharmonia, joht. Ruut Kiiski

17.4.2026 klo 19 Tampere-talo, Suuri sali, Tampere Biennale -festivaali

Tilaaja: Maria Puusaari

My Violin Concerto is a Requiem to an unborn life. A deeply personal work for me, this concerto draws its inspiration from such profound personal experiences as unwanted infertility, and the experiences and thoughts that arose during this very difficult journey of dealing with unwanted childlessness.

The music progresses from anger and frustration in the first movement, De profundis, to a dreamlike state in the second movement, Alcheringa*, where glimpses of hope emerge, only to disappear again.

In the last movement, Ad lucem, the music embarks on a journey, trying to reach the light, reminding of one’s need to hold on to hope.

Violin Concerto: A Requiem was commissioned by Maria Puusaari and is dedicated to her. The commission was made possible with kind support from Madetoja Foundation and Teosto Commission Fund.

*Alcheringa, an Arandic language term, refers to Australian Aboriginal beliefs of Dreaming, Dreamtime, or ”Everywhen”, a myth of creation and, in a larger context, a concept that embraces past, present and future. Another definition suggests that Dreaming represents how the relationships between people, animals, plants and the land came to be and how they need to be maintained.

It is argued that the term itself is based on a misunderstanding or mistranslation, and that the closer meaning of Alcheringa could be ”eternal” or ”uncreated”.

Markku Klami, 2023