VENEZIANA, the new program by the Finnish pianist Iiro Rantalas, which will be premiered at the Berlin Philharmonie (January 2023), is dedicated to a place of desire: Venice. How not to be inspired by the beauty and mystery of the city, by its architecture, by the history of art? And by the artists and composers who have created fantastic works in this city. Vivaldi and his “Four Seasons”, Monteverdi and Italian opera in general, for which Iiro Rantala has a lifelong love. As often happens, Iiro Rantala moves on the border between jazz and classical music. And in an exuberance of moods: «On stage he can become a dervish at the keys. But he can immerse himself in the music just as calmly and with concentration.” The ideal partners for “Veneziana” are the four strings of the Galatea Quartet, with whom Rantala has often appeared on stage. The Zurich quartet is known for innovative and gender-crossing concepts – and thus the perfect complement to a program that is as dazzling and multifaceted as the lagoon city itself.
“Intelligence, humour, a lot of feeling, unpredictable ideas and the best piano craftsmanship” (FAZ) – Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala is “a natural phenomenon on the keys” (jazz thing). With the anarchist trio Töykeät he made the jazz stages of Europe and far beyond unsafe for almost 20 years. His subsequent ACT debut album Lost Heroes marked a turning point in his music. Where once wild and unbridled exuberance reigned, today Rantala seeks and finds the power of melody, harmony and deep emotion. The thief flashes again and again. And also his outstanding classically trained piano art. Rantala manages to balance in many ways: critically acclaimed, including the German Record Critics’ Annual Award, ECHO Jazz, Finland’s EMMA Award and many more, yet at the same time a crowd favorite in hundreds, if not thousands , of concerts . In classical temples such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Elbphilharmonie, Berlin Concert Hall, Cologne Philharmonic, but also in jazz clubs and festivals all over Europe. As a soloist, in a trio or with a full orchestra. Between jazz, classical, pop and Nordic song. With feeling and melancholy, but also with a lot of wit and charm. In short: a modern and limitless piano master.
Iiro Rantala moves exactly on the border between jazz and classical music. “On stage he can become a dervish at the keys. But he can immerse himself in the music with the same calmness and concentration. Rantala has always had a weakness for genre mixes» (Fritz Krauser, Stuttgarter Zeitung). The Galatea Quartet complements it perfectly. In addition to the classical repertoire, the Galatea Quartet has always explored unknown terrain and developed innovative concepts, cross-genre, cross-over projects are not uncommon.
Together, the four string players and Iiro Rantala will once again expand the classical area with an exciting component.
Published on Friday 30 December 2022 at 19:08
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