We are thrilled to be joining our geographically distant friend and collaborator Bryce Dessner in concert for the first time, alongside Anastasia Kobekina and Fleur Barron, at the iconic Huvila venue at Helsinki Festival!

Composer, guitarist, and founding member of The National, Bryce Dessner, will be featured at the Helsinki Festival in two very different settings—at Dance House Helsinki and Huvila. Equally at home in indie rock, classical, and film music, Dessner has composed the score for one of the festival’s international dance performances—Impermanence, performed by the Sydney Dance Company. At Huvila, this multi-talented musician curates a unique evening where his solo works will be performed by the technically brilliant and boldly programmed Australian String Quartet. Joining them is award-winning Russian cellist Anastasia Kobekina, acclaimed for her achievements, including recognition at the Tchaikovsky Competition and Singaporean-British opera singer Fleur Barron, one of today’s most versatile and in-demand mezzo-sopranos.

Bryce Dessner’s extraordinary talent has made a significant impact across the music world. A multiple Grammy Award winner, his compositions have been commissioned and performed by leading orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestre de Paris, the Munich Philharmonic, and the London Philharmonia Orchestra. Among his recent orchestral works is a violin concerto premiered by Pekka Kuusisto, which has since been performed worldwide. In the film industry, his music has been featured in The Revenant and The Two Popes.

Dessner first gained widespread recognition as the guitarist and songwriter for The National. His international renown has grown through collaborations with Taylor Swift on her acclaimed and award-winning Folklore and Evermore albums. His diverse career also includes notable collaborations with Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, and Bon Iver.

The evening will open with Finnish harpist and composer Laura Hynninen. An Emma Award nominee and Indie Awards winner, Hynninen blends classical and contemporary music in her work and is regarded as one of the most exciting names in contemporary music today.

Promotional text provided by Helsinki Festival.