Clarinet Concerto

Tanguy’s Clarinet Concerto was written for French clarinetist Pierre Génisson to accompany Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. However, this melodic and lyrical work in three movements does seek to establish an analogy with Mozart’s work. Tanguy’s 2nd Violin Concerto, revised in 2003, is built on a very classical form, is set in three movements and includes the archetypes of a traditional concerto, including a big cadenza, as well as the fast–slow–fast construction with the purpose of finding a balance with modern times. The concerto is performed by Júlia Pusker, prize-winner from the 2019 Queen Elizabeth violin competition in Brussels. Matka (‘journey’ in Finnish) is a symphonic piece written by Tanguy for Sibelius’ 150th anniversary and commissioned by the Jyväskylä Sinfonia. The work is a spiritual tribute to Sibelius, a composer that has inspired Tanguy for many decades.

Born in 1986 in Marseille, Pierre Génisson is one of the best representatives of the French wind school. Winner of the prestigious Carl Nielsen International Competition, he won the 1st Prize and the Audience Prize at the Jacques Lancelot International Competition in Tokyo. His recordings published for Aparté have been widely awarded by international critics (Diapason d’Or, Choc of the year by Classica, ffff by Télérama, ‘Album of the week’ by the Sunday Times, Gramophone, Clef d’Or by Resmusica). Pierre Génisson is regularly invited to perform as a soloist with numerous orchestras such as the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester-Berlin, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the BBC orchestras. Génisson regularly collaborates with contemporary composers such as Thierry Escaich, Karol Beffa, Philippe Hersant, Tristan Murail and Eric Montalbetti. He is the dedicatee of the Clarinet Concerto by Éric Tanguy.

Described by the Strad Magazine for her “magical simplicity” and true “aristocrat” of the violin by La Libre, Júlia Pusker came to international attention in her prize-winning performances at the prestigious 2019 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition in Brussels. Born into a family of musicians in Hungary, Júlia began her musical education at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest before moving to England to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London with György Pauk, where she received her Master of Music degree with distinction in 2016. Since then, she has been working with Augustin Dumay at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Brussels, where she is Associate Artist-in-Residence. Júlia Pusker plays a Matteo Goffriller violin from 1690

Jyväskylä Sinfonia was founded in 1955, with Ahti Karjalainen as its first conductor. During the years, the orchestra has been conducted by Jukka Hapuoja, Onni Kelo, Jorma Svanström, Kyösti Haatanen, William Boughton, Ari Rasilainen, Markus Lehtinen, and Patrick Gallois. Jyväskylä Sinfonia has released over 40 recordings on some of the most well-known classical record companies. The orchestra has 38 full-time musicians and the orchestra’s activities reach every year 35 000 people.

Ville Matvejeff’s conducting career is progressing rapidly. In January 2014 he assumed the position of Chief Conductor of Jyväskylä Sinfonia, renewed two times until the year 2022. Since September 2014 he has worked as the Principal Guest Conductor and Music Advisor of Croatian National Theatre HNK Zajc in Rijeka. Matvejeff has developed a broad repertoire ranging from Classical to 20th century and contemporary music. A bass-baritone with solo performances on both concert and opera stages to his credit, he is equally conversant with a wide choral and oratorio repertoire. From September 2019 onwards, Matvejeff has been the artistic director of Savonlinna Opera Festival. A musical polymath, Matvejeff is also a pianist and composer.

Sleeves notes in English and French