UW News

December 6, 2007

Finnish piano virtuoso Antti Siirala debuts at Meany Hall

Pianist Antti Siirala performs as part of the World Series at Meany Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 11.


First Prize winner of three international piano competitions, including the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition (2003), Siirala has firmly established himself as a star on the international stage. Now he is making his Seattle debut as part of the President’s Piano Series. Still in his 20s, Siirala has already performed solo recitals in London, Paris, Brussels, Milan, and Berlin.


At the heart of his repertoire are the works of Brahms and Beethoven, and this season he is continuing his cycles of Beethoven’s piano works at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. For his premiere performance at Meany, Siirala will present a program of Beethoven, Sibelius, and Chopin. The World Series will also welcome special guest Matti Suokko, Seattle’s honorary consul

general of Finland, who will be in attendance for this special Dec. 11 performance.


In addition to his concert, Siirala will conduct a master class on Monday, Dec. 10, working one-on-one with three local piano students. The master class will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sherman Clay & Company, located at 1624 Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle. The public is invited to observe this class and stay for a brief question-and-answer session with Siirala at its conclusion.


Ticket holders for the Dec. 11 concert are invited to come early to learn more about Antti Siirala and the music he will be performing at a free pre-show lecture. The talk takes place in the Meany Hall west lobby and begins at 7:15 p.m.


The concert is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $34 general, $31 for subscribers and $20 for students. They are available at the Arts Ticket Office, 206-543-4880 or online at www.meany.org.