Kaija Saariaho’s $1 million organ donation
OrchestrasHelsinki Music Centre expects to sound off on its new organ on January 1, 2024.
The instrument has been generously donated by the Paris-based Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho at a personal cost of 1 million Euros. Ms Saariaho originally studied organ at the Sibelius Academy.
Full story here.
Modern organs are so noisy.
Modern composers are so rich.
Impressive that she’s made enough as a composer to be able to afford to donate that much money. Or does she have some other source of wealth? In either case, good on her.
She is independently wealthy; her late father was an entrepreneur (and arts donor) who built a successful civil defence shelter and shelter accessory business from scratch. Saariaho and her siblings have since sold it.
How very generous of Kaija Saariaho. Can’t wait to hear the new organ!
There is also a composition competition for the inauguration – results come in on the 1st May (Monday).