Latest news with #Finlandia
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Probierz quits Poland after Lewandowski boycott
Michal Probierz has resigned as Poland manager in the wake of Robert Lewandowski saying he would not play for the country under who is Poland's record goalscorer with 85 goals in 158 appearances, quit his national team on Sunday after Probierz replaced him as captain with Piotr decision to resign also follows Poland suffering a 2-1 loss in Finland in a World Cup qualifier on defeat left Poland third in their group on six points after three games, with the Netherlands second on six points after two games and Finland top on seven points having played four games."I have come to the conclusion that in the current situation the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of coach," Probierz said in a statement., external"Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life."Probierz, 52, took over as coach in September 2023 but his side finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024 and were the first country to be knocked out of the his 21 matches in charge he won nine, drew five and lost added: "Thank you, of course, to all the footballers I have had the pleasure of meeting along the way."I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national asset."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Finlandia Vodka and SXSW London host luncheon in honour of Jane Goodall PhD DBE
LONDON, June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Finlandia Vodka, in collaboration with SXSW London, hosted an exclusive luncheon yesterday to celebrate the extraordinary work of renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall and her Institute. Known for the ongoing research into the lives of wild chimpanzees of Gombe, Tanzania – now in its 65th year – and for the many programmes created to benefit people, animals and the environment. Dr. Goodall is author of many books for adults and children and has featured in countless documentaries, films including 'Reasons for Hope' the IMAX currently being shown around the world. This unique event brought together a select group of influencers and thought leaders to honour Dr. Goodall's lifelong dedication to conservation and environmental stewardship. As part of this special occasion, Finlandia Vodka is proud to announce a €30,000 donation to the Jane Goodall Institute UK, which Dr. Goodall has designated to support Dr. Jane's Dream – the Jane Goodall Centre for Hope. This exciting education centre is due to open in October 2026 and will attract thousands of visitors who pass through Arusha as well as serving the local communities. It will feature a series of rooms showcasing the life and work of Dr. Jane Goodall and her Institutes and include a garden and theatre and the work of many African artists. "I am grateful for Finlandia's donation and their support and to be here for this wonderful lunch," said Jane Goodall DBE. In addition to honouring Dr. Goodall's impactful work, Finlandia shared with the audience the idea of new global brand campaign, "It's Soooo Fine", a celebration of living authentically, embracing individuality, and enjoying the present moment. Beyond traditional media, with this event Finlandia took an approach with a philanthropic twist, inviting a curated group of "friends of Finlandia", a diverse collection of thought-leaders, innovators, and visionaries from around the world to engage with the brand in a meaningful way while contributing to a noble cause. "We are thrilled to partner with the Jane Goodall Institute, an organization whose work we have long admired and supported," said Yannis Athanasiadis, Global Leader of Finlandia Vodka. "Jane Goodall and her Institute embody the values that our brand espouses, including authenticity, sustainability and longevity." About the Jane Goodall Institute The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global, community-led conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances the vision and work of Jane Goodall with 25 chapters around the world. Core programmes include the ongoing research into the lives of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, improving the lives of captive primates, other apes and their habitats, and empowering people to be compassionate citizens in order to inspire conservation of the natural world we all share. JGI uses research, community-led conservation, best-in-class animal welfare standards, and the innovative use of science and technology to inspire hope and take action for the common good. Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots is empowering young people of all ages to become involved in hands on projects of their choosing to benefit the community, animals and the environment we all share and is active in more than 75 countries. About Finlandia Vodka Finlandia Vodka is a leading vodka brand established in 1970. It is available in classic and several flavoured versions. Two elements of Finnish abundant nature define Finlandia Vodka. Suomi (Finnish) barley ripened by a Midnight Sun that does not set for 72 days, and a pure glacial Finnish water. The result of this is a silky-smooth taste and a velvety mouthfeel. Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Finlandia Vodka
San Francisco Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Esa-Pekka Salonen and S.F. Symphony release new recordings on Apple Music
As Esa-Pekka Salonen reaches the beginning of the end of his tenure as music director of the San Francisco Symphony, his work with the institution is being further memorialized on Apple Music Classical. The music platform has released Salonen and the Symphony's performance of Jean Sibelius' ' Finlandia,' recorded live in concert March 14-16, for fans to stream. Three additional digital-only spatial audio recordings are set to release on the Apple Music Classical app in the coming months. Igor Stravinsky's ' Symphony in Three Movements ' will be made available on July 4, followed by Sibelius' Symphony No. 1 on Aug. 15, and Salonen's Cello Concerto featuring principal cello Rainer Eudeikis, which does not have a release date yet. They are all produced through SFS Media, the Symphony's audio-visual label. The Symphony began its partnership with Apple Music Classical upon its release in 2023, and Salonen and the orchestra have previously released 11 recordings through the platform, including compositions by composers Anders Hillborg, Elizabeth Ogonek and Ottorino Respighi. Apple Music Classical is available for free to most Apple Music subscribers and allows its users to make playlists, utilize optimal search features, and enjoy high-quality immersive audio. Salonen's final shows with the Symphony are nearing as the 2024-25 season draws to a close, but classical music fans have a few more opportunities to catch the conductor in person. He is scheduled to conduct Stravinsky's 'The Firebird' Friday, May 23, through Sunday, May 25, and his last scheduled performances will be of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2, 'Resurrection,' on June 12-14. The Finnish conductor and composer took over the music director position from Michael Tilson Thomas in 2020 and announced his departure from the Symphony last spring. He attributed his decision to differences with leadership, stating that he does 'not share the same goals for the future of the institution as the Board of Governors does.' Salonen currently has no plans to join the forthcoming season's lineup, not even to return for a guest appearance.
The Guardian
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
RPO/Petrenko review – a blistering, multi-hued Shostakovich
Southbank Centre's life-enhancing Multitudes festival is turning out to be a stimulating mix of orchestral fireworks and artistic cross-fertilisation. Of course, the trick with multidisciplinary work is to ensure that one form doesn't overwhelm the others, and this Royal Philharmonic take on Shostakovich's epic Leningrad Symphony, with imagery by Russian art/film director Kirill Serebrennikov and video artist Ilya Shagalov, got the balance just right. A brief first half offered a thrusting reading of Sibelius's Finlandia, a more straightforwardly patriotic work than Shostakovich's tantalisingly equivocal symphony. Conductor Vasily Petrenko proved a master of dramatic contrasts, from the opening rasp of low brass to the composer's final proclamation of nationhood. Kurt Weill's Four Walt Whitman Songs were equally effective, thanks to Roderick Williams' honest simplicity and razor-sharp diction. The German expat's gawky settings of nationalistic poetry have the potential to get chopped up and tossed into word salads, but not with Williams at the helm. Firm-toned and equally firmly committed, he landed all four with musical panache and lyrical insight. As for the symphony, Serebrennikov and Shagalov allowed Petrenko's blistering, multi-hued interpretation of Shostakovich's cinematic masterpiece to command centre stage. Their absorbing but never over-fussy illustrations offered extra-cerebral stimulation with evocative and occasionally provocative imagery playing out on three giant screens. Shostakovich's four movements were visualised as a series of discrete yet interconnected narratives, broadening the storyline from Soviet resilience in the face of the destruction of Leningrad (whether by Hitler or, as Shostakovich once suggested, by Stalin) to the impact of man's technological overreach on the planet. The live-guided imagery, which referenced 20th-century constructivism and contemporary sci-fi, was inspired, from a psychedelically infused eyeball scanning the heavens to the blood-red vegetation of a haunted forest. The opening Allegretto channelled the Icarus myth, the on-screen action going cheek-by-jowl with Petrenko's masterly build of Shostakovich's battle theme. In contrast, the light-footed second movement was accompanied by dancing cells and synapses. A poignant, post-apocalyptic Adagio led into an intense, emotional finale where Technicolor flowers blossomed as vividly as Shostakovich's music. Petrenko, visibly moved at the end, never put a foot wrong. Multitudes, at London's Southbank Centre, continues until 3 May.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Settle Orchestra delights audiences with spring concert programme
By Lindy Williams Harry Lai, Settle Orchestra's conductor for this year, guided the group through a vigorous and exciting programme for its spring concerts, which took place in Settle on March 22, and in Skipton on March 29. The programme began with Sibelius's Finlandia, a wonderful work, written in 1899, that reflects the struggles of Finland to gain independence from Russia. The playing at the opening was excellent, with a wonderful sound from the brass and woodwind sections, followed by great warmth from the strings. Harry showed his musical skill by emphasising the contrasting emotions in the work, resulting in a most enjoyable performance, with the different sections of the orchestra demonstrating considerable skills. Next we were treated to a little known work by Dvorak, The Noon Witch. This tells a sinister story, of an infant perceived to be misbehaving and being threatened with a visit from the Noon Witch, who does indeed appear, with tragic consequences. Throughout the performance the orchestra thoroughly captured the spirit of the music, in tight rhythms, expressive phrasing, and a great feeling of drive. Special mention must go to the oboe soloist who played with exceptional musicianship. With its variations in tempo and contrasting dynamics this is a difficult work and we heard it played very well, thanks to the extraordinary talent of the conductor. After the interval came Tchaikovsky's Symphony number 5. This is a big work and to take it on with a relatively small string section is a challenge. On this occasion it was hard to believe that the orchestra has only 15 violins, three violas, and three cellos. Credit for this must go to the orchestra's talented and hugely popular leader, Anne Heaton. This was altogether a skilful performance and Harry never seemed to lose sight of the work's architecture as he guided the players on Tchaikovsky's musical journey. The opening could have had a little more rhythmic precision, but it can take a few bars to get into the stride in such a massive work, and the players soon settled in. The hauntingly beautiful horn solo at the start of the slow movement was immaculately played by first horn, Ewan Hudson, who not only made a lovely sound but captured in his phrasing the intense emotional content of the music. (In the summer concerts he will be soloist in Weber's Concertino for horn and orchestra). All the sections of the orchestra seemed completely immersed in this performance, with focus and attention to detail. Harry was in complete command and the players responded magnificently. His - and their - musicianship quite simply shone. This was one of the best Settle Orchestra concerts I have heard. It was a feat of great skill to perform such a challenging programme and, although I rarely use the word, on this occasion I feel safe to say that the playing was phenomenal. The players are very fortunate to have such a talented conductor this year. Harry has a natural and deep understanding of the music as well as the technical skills to bring out the best in the players. The summer concerts are not to be missed and they take place on June 21 in Settle and June 28 in Skipton.
