Princess Vendla knows ALL the languages of the world. How can she find a partner who is her equal?What happens when Timo the Woodsman wants to win her hand?
Performed by children for children and families by members of the Riverfront Children’s Theater. An original musical children’s play adapted by Sally Cragin from the Finnish folk tale. Presented as part of the Finlandia Foundation of Boston‘s monthly free programming.
FREE with registration This program is made possible by a donation in memory of Ruth Williams. Ruth, originally from Canterbury, England, emigrated to Boston as a Fulbright Scholar, rare for her time. She went on to receive her MA and Ph.D. at Boston University. At The Park School in Brookline she taught lower school until she was appointed permanent Fourth Grade Teacher and Division Head of the Middle School. She was beloved by students and parents and fellow teachers — for her chipper manner, ready wit, and brilliant, surprising teaching styles.
Sara Pajunen is a musician and artist based in Minneapolis. After receiving classical music degrees in violin performance, she founded three touring ensembles based on her Finnish heritage. Pajunen’s new work is about finding similarities in difference: current duo Aallotar musically explores the reconnection of cultures grown apart, and developing solo work creates a communal climate to reflect on the universality of change. She has received grants from Jerome Foundation, MN State Arts Board, and is Finlandia Foundation’s Performer of the Year.
The SCC is thrilled to join with the Center for Arabic Culture in the presentation of our first theatrical presentation, I Call My Brothers.
I Call My Brothers explores where the lines between criminal and victim, and fantasy and reality, blur. The play, based on a column written by written by Swedish-Tunisian Playwright/Author Jonas Hassen Khemiri one week after the December, 2010 bombing in Sweden is about the experience of a man named Amor. A car has exploded. A city has been crippled by fear. Amor wanders the city, doing his best to blend in. He must not attract any suspicious glances. But what is normal behavior? And who is a potential perpetrator?
This wickedly funny and precisely observed psychodrama tells the story of a model Swedish family handsome businessman Tomas, his willowy wife Ebba and their two blond children on a skiing holiday in the French Alps. The sun is shining and the slopes are spectacular but during a lunch at a mountainside restaurant, an avalanche suddenly bears down on the happy diners. With people fleeing in all directions and his wife and children in a state of panic, Tomas makes a decision that will shake his marriage to its core and leave him struggling to reclaim his role as family patriarch.
Free; donations accepted.
Films start at 1:30pm. Refreshments for attendees are served at 1pm. Lunch (not included) is available in the Kaffestugan, which is open until 3pm every Saturday.
After their public showing movies in our film series become part of the Scandinavian Library’s collection of DVDs available for borrowing by Library members.
In a program titled “The Sights and Sounds of French Impressionism,” pianist Kathryn Rosenbach performs works by Debussy and Ravel such as Reflet dans l’eau, L’isle joyeuse and Miroirs.
PROGRAM
Claude Debussy(1862-1918)
Reflets dans l’eau from Image I (1905)
Estampes (1903) I. Pagodes II. Soiree das Grenade III. Jardins sous la pluie
L’Isle joyeuse (1904)
– INTERMISSION –
Maurice Ravel(1875-1937)
Pavanne Pour une infant defunte
Miroirs
II. Oiseaux Tristes
III. Une Barque sur L’ocean
IV. Alborado del Gracioso
Kathryn Rosenbach is a pianist, choral conductor, composer and teacher. She has performed with Janus 21 and Avatar Ensemble, among others. She has premiered music by Nancy Van de Vate, Yehudi Wyner, Lejarin Hiller, and Marlos Nobre. She participated in the recording of “Music for Six” by Lukas Foss on CRI. She has produced two videos: “What Makes Music?” and “Explorations and Transformations.” Ms. Rosenbach teaches and coaches chamber music at Powers and Lexington Music Schools, and Music on the Hill summer chamber program. She is presently Music Director at the 1st Baptist Church of Woburn.
Swedish-American ensemble, Quartet Kalos, presents Kalos Inscriptions, a retelling of traditional folk songs through new arrangements and unique instrumentation. In addition to their original take on folk tunes, the members of the ensemble have written original music highlighting the versatility and musicality of the group – a vocalist, clarinetist, cellist and percussionist. Using the poetry of Kathleen Kraft, Quartet Kalos will keep you dreaming while tapping your toes.
ABOUT THE QUARTET
In 2014 Quartet Kalos officially came into fruition, but their history is deeper than meets the eye. Two members grew up together in a small town in Sweden, and two grew up in the Midwest of the USA, two met near the Arctic Circle and three serenaded a crowd at a house concert in Paris. All four have created unique and sustainable careers in the arts.
Maria Finkelmeier (percussion), Anna K. Larson (voice), Angela Shankar (clarinet), and Sanna Andersson (cello) created Quartet Kalos to bring a fresh voice to traditional folk songs, while self-composing and commissioning new works that highlight the unique nature of this instrument combination. They regularly work with American poet Kathleen Kraft, creating soaring melodies for her words. The ensemble’s first tour was in Dalsland, Sweden in 2014 consisting of four concerts at unlikely venues celebrating music, food, community, and sustainable living, along with a presentation at the innovative community music school n3. Laughs, fashion, and wine may have brought these women together as friends, but a passion for art and dedication to discovery will keep them together as a musical entity.
Last year’s Smörgåsbord Nordic Food Festival was featured in the Boston Globe’s Food Section. Read about it here. We sold out a week prior to the event, so be sure to get your tickets early!
General Admission: $20 advance ($25 at door)/$15 SCC Members “Nordic Foodie” (SOLD OUT): $25 advance ($30 at door)/$15 SCC Members (All access! See below for details!) Kids 12 & under: $5
This year’s theme is “The Battle”! Local chefs represent each of five Nordic nations. Enjoy a taste of Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland and vote for your favorite dish! Plus, Nordic vendors, and music and fun for all ages, including a kids’ apron decorating station and a Viking encampment, plus a live Viking battle reenactment before we announce the winning Nordic dish!
SCHEDULE:
UNTIL 2pm (When the Viking battle begins!):
Tasting stations (Visit five tasting stations and vote for your favorite dish!). Don’t forget your complimentary bottle of VOSS water!
Viking encampment by the Viking Irish (Enjoy craft demos and a Viking stew!)
Nordic raffle (Win gift certificates to local restaurants, Nordic gifts and memberships, and more!)
Live music by accordionist Luana Josvold and hardingfele/upright bass duo Boeur Sabat!
12:30–1pm: Swedish meatball cooking demo and tasting from Just Add Cooking *Nordic Foodie ONLY*
1–1:45pm: “Dining Like the Danes” with the authors of “Eat Smart in Denmark” *Nordic Foodie ONLY* Knækbrød baking demonstration from Danish Pastry House *Nordic Foodie ONLY*
2–2:45pm: Viking battle reenactment
2:45pm: Winning Nordic dish announced
MORE ABOUT “NORDIC FOODIE” ACTIVITIES:
“Dining Like the Danes”
For a small country, Denmark is surprisingly rich in culinary traditions, many of which date back to Viking times and even earlier. And Danish cuisine has been in the gastronomic spotlight since Noma of Copenhagen, a forerunner in the New Nordic movement, was voted the best restaurant in the world four times. While the average visitor is not likely to eat at Noma – reservations are almost impossible to get, and prices are high even by Danish standards — there are countless opportunities throughout the country to enjoy both traditional and New Nordic versions of delicious Danish dishes. Join Carol Schroeder and Katrina Schroeder, co-authors of Eat Smart in Denmark, on a culinary journey that will introduce you to the delights of Danish cuisine from smørrebrød through wienerbrød. And as an added bonus, they’ll teach you how to correctly pronounce rødgrød med fløde. Learn more about the book here.
Swedish Meatball Cooking Demo & Tasting
Join Just Add Cooking’s Charlotte Leife and Chef Holly Pierce for a cooking demonstration and sample of Swedish meatballs! Just Add Cooking is a Swedish-owned business which delivers international recipes and fresh, local and sustainable ingredients to your doorstep. Enjoy this demonstration of a Just Add Cooking experience and a special offer just for festival attendees! Learn more about Just Add Cooking here.
A special free concert presented by The SCC, Newton at Home and the Saul B. and Naomi R. Cohen Foundation with virtuosic Ecuadorian cellist Francisco Vila and Ukrainian pianist Oleksandr Poliykov in a program featuring music by Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann and Sibelius.
Reception to follow.
PROGRAM
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Major, No. 3, Op. 69
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Fantasisestücke for Cello and Piano, Op. 73
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Valse Triste, arr. for Cello and Piano, Op. 44
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
Sonata for Cello and Piano in F Major, No. 2, Op.99
ABOUT FRANCISCO
Sensitivity, effortless technique and intensity of sound characterize the playing of Ecuadorian cellist Francisco Vila. He began playing the cello at age 8 and had his solo debut with orchestra at 14. Having concertized throughout Europe, North and South America, Vila has been described as “…an exceptionally talented young cellist and musician. He is heading for an important place in the world of music” (Janos Starker, cellist). The Bloomington Herald-Times said of his performance of Lalo’s Cello Concerto that Vila “… displayed absolute command on stage… perfectly executed technical passages and induced the orchestra with his energy… tenderly revealed to us the romanticism of this concerto.”
Alex Poliykov, concert pianist and a conductor from Ukraine. He received Master’s in education/piano performance and finished assistantship at National Music Academy of Ukraine, Kiev, as a student of Tatiana Roschina. From 2007, he also became a student of Michael Lewin at the Boston Conservatory, he finished Artist Diploma program .In addition to his piano career, he became a student of People’s Artist of Ukraine, conductor of the National Opera Theater, professor, Allin Vlasenko, and received Master’s Degree in conducting, from National Music Academy of Ukraine, in July 2014.
Most recent awards at the competitions are – MacKenzie award during the IKIF2012 in New York City (2012), third prize at the Franz Liszt Piano Competition in Utrecht (the Netherlands, 2011), second prize at the Franz Liszt Piano Competition, Bayreuth-Weimar (Germany 2009), first prize at the Steinway Society Competition in Boston (2008) and third prize at the International Piano competition in memory of Vladimir Horowitz (Ukraine 2007).Oleksandr Poliykov regularly appears at concert venues around the world. He has given solo recitals in Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Norway, Brazil and the U.S., and has played with such orchestras as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and Kiev Philharmonic, Radio-Philarmonic Orchestra of Holland. In 2010 he performed both Liszt piano concertos with the Newton Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of James Orent. He gives masterclasses in the U.S. and Europe, and gives educational concert-lectures in elementary schools, music schools and conservatories. He has been serving as an assistant piano faculty at the National Music Academy of Ukraine from 2010.
Finlandia-Foundation Boston welcomes the foundation’s 2015 Lecturer of the Year the award winning, multi-talented performer Taina Elg. Through anecdotes and film clips Elg offers a candid, behind-the-scenes glimpse of her life as a young star at MGM Studios, life in Hollywood, and the film industry today
Elg, began her career as a ballerina in Finland and found fame in Hollywood and on Broadway.
Elg, who has won two Golden Globes, including one for her role in the 1957 film Les Girls starring Gene Kelly,
tells her story in an intimate interview format conducted by Heli Sirviö, a Finnish television and stage actress now working in New York City. In addition to her work in the movies, Elg has appeared on popular television shows and earned a Tony nomination for her work in Where’s Charley?, one of her many theatrical performances.
Elise Boeur and Nate Sabat play traditional music from a place where the sun forgets to rise. Bringing their profound love of folk music and their extensive jazz training together, Boeur (Violin, Hardingfele) and Sabat (Upright Bass) reach into the depths of the Norwegian and Swedish folk traditions to bring out the inner pulse. Exploring the microtonality and flexible time at the heart of old fiddle tunes, in the unusual duo setting of violin and bass, these young musicians play with power and delicacy.
ABOUT BOEUR SABAT
Originally trained as a classical vocalist, Nate Sabat is now in growing demand as a bassist on the Boston bluegrass / new acoustic scene. Sabat brings his complex, highly personal harmonic sensibility to this collaboration. Elise Boeur has nurtured a passion for Scandinavian folk music for many years, studying traditional fiddle and hardingfele at Høgskolen i Telemark in Norway, and on visits to folk-rich areas in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Boeur and Sabat met in Eugene Friesen’s World Strings ensemble at Berklee College of Music. This innovative, dynamic chamber orchestra was the perfect environment for their musical connection to flourish, and they continue to collaborate with the World Strings, performing Sabat’s orchestral arrangement of one of their pieces with the group in Kentucky, Rhode Island, and Connecticut as well as around Massachusetts.
This program is made possible by a donation in memory of Ruth Williams. Ruth, originally from Canterbury, England, emigrated to Boston as a Fulbright Scholar, rare for her time. She went on to receive her MA and Ph.D. at Boston University. At The Park School in Brookline she taught lower school until she was appointed permanent Fourth Grade Teacher and Division Head of the Middle School. She was beloved by students and parents and fellow teachers — for her chipper manner, ready wit, and brilliant, surprising teaching styles.
“Dining Like the Danes”
Swedish Meatball Cooking Demo & Tasting
ABOUT OLEKSANDR POLIYKOV
Elg, began her career as a ballerina in Finland and found fame in Hollywood and on Broadway.
