Time of Music festival´s (Viitasaari, Finland) theme was art & autonomy. Both the discussions and the artistic programme tackled questions such as: What is the role, value and appreciation of art in our world? How does digitality affect the autonomy of arts?
Festival´s guest composer was James Dillon. Dillon has been associated with the new complexity school, but the pieces presented at the festival for the first time in Finland, give the audience a chance to hear the later development of his style and oeuvre. During the festival week it was possible to enjoy music by amazing ensembles such as Talea Ensemble, Quatuor Bozzini and Poing. Contemporary music specialist, soprano Juliet Fraser performed with pianist Mark Knoop. During the portrait concert of young Finnish composer Sebastian Hilli we heard the world premiere of his guitar concerto confluence/divergence.The guitar soloist was Petri Kumela with the Finnish Uusinta Ensemble. The largest ensemble at Time of Music consisted of players of International Ensemble Modern Academy, the Ulysses Network and Sibelius Academy. This ensemble was a residence ensemble for conductor course lead by Susanna Mälkki.
Time of Music’s two day seminar was about contemporary challenges of art, identity and autonomy. The speakers were Sir John Tusa, Mark Applebaum, Catherine Milliken, Teemu Mäki, Pekka Toivanen and Sini Mononen.
This year’s Time of Music gathered an audience of nearly 2000 people. The most popular concerts were the opening concert, children´s concert and concert with the magnificent Juliet Fraser. Next years festival dates are 3.-9.7.2018.