I have visited Finland many times but never in the autumn--the weather was crisp and cool. Although it was a long journey from San Diego, it was well worth it!
My first concert was in Hämeenlinna, Sibelius' birthplace, at the beautiful two hundred year old church situated by the lake. The organ, completed in 2003 in the style of Ladegast, was built by Georges Heintz (op. 179) and sounded wonderful in the bell-like acoustics. My second concert was on the 1995 Swedish organ built by Åkermund & Lund at the Kallio church in Helsinki--a fabulous recreation of French Romantic style in this immense church. Interestingly, Jean Sibelius composed a wonderful melody for this church's carillon. My third concert was in Kereva on the outskirts of the city of Helsinki, on an organ built by H. O. Paschen Orgelbaukie in 1993. Next was a return visit to the Malmi Church in Helsinki to play on the Heinrich organ of 1983. My fourth concert was in the 105 year old Lutheran Church in Kotka. The organ, completed in 1998 by Martti Porthán Oy, is a marvelous recreation of Gottfried Silbermann's instrument of 1714 for Freiberg Cathedral. The last concert was at the tourist attraction of Helsinki's Temppeliaukion Church built in 1969--always a difficult place to practice but a fascinating church carved out of the rock.
I headed from Helsinki to Paris thanks to KLM to play at Notre Dame Cathedral, where I had two late night rehearsals and thoroughly enjoyed every moment--what an honor to play in a building where so much music has evolved. The acoustics are enormous and the action is very light. I had the real honor of sitting on Vierne's bench where he died on June 2, 1937. It so happened that the bench was perfect for my height. Over a thousand people came to the concert.
