Conductor praises acoustics at Turku’s new music hall

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra conductor John Storgårds praised the acoustics at the city’s new music hall, Fuuga, after the orchestra held its first rehearsal there on Wednesday. Yle reports that the musicians tested the hall’s sound ahead of its opening.

Storgårds said the first notes were a surprise because the orchestra had no way to know in advance how the music would sound in the hall. The musicians began with Mozart, whose music he described as sensitive and revealing.

After rehearsing a range of pieces, the orchestra quickly realised it did not need to play as physically as it was used to, Storgårds said. Both quiet passages and powerful effects came through easily.

He expects the music to sound different at the next rehearsal, as the orchestra gets used to the hall. He is particularly keen to work on subtle, quiet tones, including variations within pianissimo, which means playing very softly.

The orchestra has a few more rehearsals to familiarise itself with the sound before its first concert in November. Yle will broadcast Fuuga’s opening concert live on Yle Areena and Yle Radio 1 on 12 November, with a delayed broadcast on Yle Teema. The concert will give audiences their first chance to hear the hall’s acoustics.