The Chopin Society of Finland

The Chopin Society of Finland

The Chopin Society of Finland is a private, non-profit organization. Founded in Helsinki on January 21, 2003, it subsequently became a member of the Warsaw Federation of the International Chopin Societies in the same year.

Founding Purpose

- to promote the works of Frédéric Chopin and classical music    in general
- to inspire young pianists to study this repertoire
- to promote and present young talents
- to create a forum for performers, teachers, researchers and general music lovers
- to increase general cultural awareness in the society
- to establish contact and  cooperation with other cultural organizations 

Venues

The Chopin Society organizes regular concerts and lectures in the following venues:

- Villa Gyllenberg, a prestigious private art museum famous for its unique Finnish collections (www.villagyllenberg.fi)
- the concert halls of the Sibelius Academy (www.siba.fi)

Performers

Outstanding musicians who have performed or lectured in the events sponsored by The Chopin Society include the following:

Gergely Bogányi, Matti Raekallio, Juhani Lagerspetz, Hui-Ying Liu, Erik T. Tawaststjerna, Teppo Koivisto, Kaija Nuoranne, Sonja Fräki, Timo Latonen, Henrik Måwe, Risto-Matti Marin, Marko Mustonen, Heinz Chen, Simon Ghraichy, Emil Gryesten Jensen, Martti Rousi, Irina Zahharenkova, plus numerous piano students from the Sibelius Academy, the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and other Finnish music institutions.

Notable Events

The Chopin Society organizes yearly concerts focused Chopin’s piano and chamber music.

The Young Chopin Festival 2007

This special showcase for young pianists consisted of one Chopin lecture and three concerts. Among the participants were more than fifty young pianists and their piano teachers from practically all the music schools in the greater Helsinki Metropolitan area.

Chopin Anniversary Year 2010

The Chopin Society presented the following special events:

- Chopin marathon concert on Monday, January 18 in Villa Gyllenberg
- Chopin gala concert on Sunday, April 18 in the Sibelius Academy; among the performers the top prize winners and the Chopin Prize winner of the 2010 Finnish National Jyväskylä Piano Competition
- National Young Chopin Showcase, Saturday and Sunday, September 25–26 in the Sibelius Academy; this event consisted of 5 concerts, featuring 38 young pianists under age 18 from 14 music institutions in Finland. In addition, there was a ”Mazurka Polonaise” dance session, and a lecture by the famous Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara.

Chopin Prize 2010:

The Chopin Society donated a Chopin Prize (500 Euros) to Miss Satu Paavola who gave the best performance of a Chopin work in the Finnish National Jyväskylä Piano Competition (February 28–March 11).

Friendship Partners

The Chopin Society organizes joint projects with other cultural institutions and organizations, including the Embassy of Poland in Helsinki, the Suomi-Puola Yhdistysten Liitto (SPYL, Alliance of Finland-Poland Associations), the Helsingin Puolalaisyhdistys (The Helsinki Polish Association), the Sibelius Academy, and the Villa Gyllenberg. Honorary Friend of the Chopin Society of Finland

The Chopin Society presented this title to the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Mrs. Hofman on March 21, 2011, in recognition of her distinctive contributions to Music and culture during her diplomatic term in Finland.

Members and membership benefits

The members of the Chopin Society of Finland consist of not only music professionals but also non-musicians from different fields. Membership applications have to be approved by the Board of Directors.

Annually paid membership entitles you to

- be notified of upcoming concerts and other events
- receive free entrance to all the concerts
- attend after-concert receptions where you could meet the performers
- attend membership meetings where you could meet fellow members of the Society, and hear live music and/or special presentations
- enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you have given support to young talents

The membership fee for 2010-11 is 15 Euros, 10 Euros for students and senior citizens.

Board of Directors 2010-2011

Ms. Hui-Ying Liu-Tawaststjerna, chairman
          e-mail: htawasts(at)siba.fi
Ms. Anna Krohn, secretary
Mr. Teppo Koivisto, vice-chairman
Mr. Mikael Westerback, treasurer
Ms. Rea Warme, member
Mr. Timo Latonen, member

Contact Information The Chopin Society of Finland
c/o Anna Krohn
Lokkalantie 18 B 31
00330 Helsinki, Finland
Tel. +358 40 7247 127
email: akrohn (at)siba.fi

(updated January 18, 2012)