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 music by Chopin and other Polish composers, as well as classical music in general
– to inspire young pianists to study this repertoire, and to promote 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 to develop possible collaborative projects with Finnish and foreign organizations which have a similar philosophical outlook
Venues
The Chopin Society has sponsored regular concerts and lectures in the following venues:
– Villa Gyllenberg, a prestigious private art museum famous for its unique Finnish collections
– the concert halls of the Sibelius Academy
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, plus numerous piano students from the Sibelius Academy, the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and other Finnish music institutions.
Notable Events
– Yearly concerts focused on music by Chopin and other Polish composers
– 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 from the greater Helsinki Metropolitan area.
Chopin Anniversary Year 2010
The Chopin Society takes pleasure in announcing the following special events for the anniversary year 2010:
– Chopin marathon concert on Monday, January 18 in Villa Gyllenberg
– Chopin gala concert on Sunday, April 18 in the Sibelius Academy
– National Young Chopin Showcase, Saturday and Sunday, September 25-26 in the Sibelius Academy
Chopin Prize 2010
The Chopin Society donates a Chopin Prize (500 Euros) to the pianist who gives the best performance of a Chopin work in the Finnish National Jyväskylä Piano Competition (February 28-March 11). Selected prize winners of the competition will be invited to perform in the Chopin gala concert on April 18th, 2010.
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.
If you join the Chopin Society of Finland for 15 euros a year (10 euros
for students and senior citizens), you will
– be notified of upcoming concerts and other events
– receive free entrance to all the concerts
– be invited to attend the after-concert receptions where you could meet
the performers
– be invited to 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
future young talents
Friendship Partners
The Chopin Society develops joint projects with other cultural
institutions and organizations, including the Embassy of Poland in Helsinki, and the
Suomi-Puola Yhdistysten Liitto (SPYL, Alliance of Finland-Poland Associations).
Board of Directors 2009-2010
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 September 29, 2009)