Classics and Premieres 2024
Chamber Concert with Three Premiered Works Featuring François Pineau-Benois
Concert & Video Production
Project Overview
In March 2024, Oulunsalo Ensemble presented Classics and Premieres at Oulu Cathedral and Rovaniemi Church, blending timeless works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, and Niccolò Paganini with the world premieres of three contemporary compositions.
These new pieces, written by Jarno Vanhanen, Ilmari Mäenpää, and myself (Eero Karvonen), were each dedicated to the event’s soloist, the renowned French violin virtuoso François Pineau-Benois. The program celebrated the diversity of modern music from Oulu, Finland – a city with a flourishing contemporary music scene.
Services Involved
Markus Vaara
Pianist, Répétiteur, Conductor
I first met Eero Karvonen at the reception after a piano recital. I was immediately impressed by his ability to discuss a wide range of topics with deep expertise. I wanted to get to know him and his way of thinking. That wish has come true: I have had the pleasure of working with Eero, especially in the field of music, for several years.
I have performed as a pianist, harpsichordist, organist, and conductor at the Hailuoto Music Festival, which he produces, as well as in concerts and tours of the Oulunsalo Ensemble orchestra. The organization and logistics of these events have been flawless; on a level usually reached only by large, publicly funded organizations made up of specialists from multiple fields.
Eero’s concert recordings have also been a great joy to me. His audio work makes everything sound natural, giving the listener the sensation of being in the same room with the live music. Even with large ensembles, his video editing precisely follows the drama of the music, revealing fine details.
In his work, Eero combines expertise and skill with a rare breadth. He is truly a one-man production company. I can warmly and without hesitation recommend him for any position or project.
François Pineau-Benois
Concert Violinist & Professor
Rachmaninoff Conservatory, Paris
I strongly support Eero Karvonen. He is an excellent audiovisual engineer and a talented composer. Working on projects with him and playing his music is always a pleasure.
My Role & Contributions
As the concert’s executive producer, I managed all aspects of production, including budgeting, sponsorship acquisition, marketing strategy and materials, concert booklet creation, video production for YouTube releases, and providing the score for my own composition, Solace.
The production team included Elisa Vesterbacka and Jarno Vanhanen, who assisted with video production on set, while Elisa also contributed still photography for social media. Ilmari Mäenpää and his team provided additional video angles, and Kirsti Derome and Annu Heikkilä managed on-site ticket sales.
Antonio Vivaldi‘s Violin Concerto in D major (RV 212) is further titled “Per la Solennità della S. Lingua di S. Antonio.” The Festival of the Sacred Tongue of St. Antonio in Padua was an annual event commemorating the life and influence of the Franciscan friar Antonio. Legend has it that the monk’s tongue remained unchanged over a long time after his death, making it a holy and miraculous symbol of the power of good words. Vivaldi dedicated a festive violin concerto to this momentous event, which he himself premiered.
François Pineau-Benois, solo violin
Sinikka Ala-Leppilampi, concertmaster
Emma-Riina Aho, Petra Keinänen, violin
Weronika Skowrońska, viola Heikki Takkula, cello
Juha Nääppä, double bass
Markus Vaara, harpsichord
Johann Sebastian Bach‘s beloved Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 is a masterpiece that radiates the elegance and profound musical expression of the Baroque period. The concerto’s two violins as soloists engage in a sensitive and intense dialogue, creating a musical dialogue between them.
François Pineau-Benois, Sinikka Ala-Leppilampi, solo violin
Emma-Riina Aho, concertmaster
Petra Keinänen, violin
Weronika Skowrońska, viola
Heikki Takkula, cello
Juha Nääppä, double bass
Markus Vaara, harpsichord
In Aava (meaning “open sea” or “glade”), calm yet dark waves of emotion and landscape are evoked. In the first Larghetto movement, the soloist tries to break through the darker moods created by the strings, a reflection of Jarno’s and François’ wintry encounter in Oulu. The full concerto premiered at the Hailuoto Music Festival 2024.
François Pineau-Benois, solo violin
Markus Vaara, conductor
Sinikka Ala-Leppilampi, concertmaster
Emma-Riina Aho, Petra Keinänen, violin
Weronika Skowrońska, viola
Heikki Takkula, cello
Juha Nääppä, double bass
Solace tells the story of a condemned criminal finding comfort in forgiveness from his loved ones. This piece is part of a larger musical project based on a historical story by MA Paula Karvonen.
François Pineau-Benois, solo violin
Sinikka Ala-Leppilampi, concertmaster
Emma-Riina Aho, Petra Keinänen, violin
Weronika Skowrońska, viola
Heikki Takkula, cello
Juha Nääppä, double bass
This solo violin work, dedicated to François Pineau-Benois, starts delicately, then builds tension and drama. Via fast-paced violinism, it ultimately returns to the initial mood, evoking images of a misty lake and its reflections.
Marketing Materials
I created a myriad of editions of the concert’s poster, spanning Facebook banners, ads, social media posts, physical A4-format posters, and more.
Concert Booklet
I designet the concert booklet to be absolutelty minimal four-page format to cut down production costs, while prestigiously presenting all the essential information in the most visually appealing way.
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