Henrik Sandås Quintet: Angels and Demons
This concert is a journey into the depths of the soul, where tango nuevo rises as a powerful and intense current, carrying the listener to 1960s Buenos Aires and into the inner world of Astor Piazzolla. Piazzolla’s masterpieces reflect both the pulse of a sprawling metropolis and the inner contradictions, passionate emotions, and deep shadows of the human soul. The bandoneon cries, sings, whispers, and screams with fervor, at times with a raspy voice. The celestial violin plays achingly beautifully, like a distant memory, bringing tears to the eyes. A passionate dance follows every vibration of the music with sensitivity — movements flow with the music, shimmering and shifting like a living image of the composer’s emotional landscape.
The violin, bandoneon, electric guitar, piano, double bass, and dance together create an artistic expression in which love, longing, and passion speak directly to the heart — reaching deeper than words ever could.
Toni and Helime Ruotsalainen are top-level dancers of Argentine show tango, known for their charisma, talent, and deeply moving performances. With years of professional experience, they have taught, performed, and competed at world-class international events with great acclaim and success.
Henrik Sandås is a bandoneon artist and arranger whose repertoire includes not only Argentine tango and tango nuevo but also Baroque music, contemporary art music, and improvisation. He is highly regarded as a sensitive and soulful musician whose expressive, storytelling playing style has captivated audiences across Europe and South America.
The Henrik Sandås Quintet shares the same instrumentation as Astor Piazzolla’s own quintet, for which Piazzolla composed most of his works. Each member of the ensemble is a top professional in their field.
Violinist Maija Linkola, a member of the Finnish National Opera Orchestra, is an experienced and highly respected chamber and orchestral musician whose playing is featured on numerous recordings and radio broadcasts.
Otto Porkkala, one of the most expressive electric guitarists of his generation, is replaced in this concert by Jani Kivelä.
Pianist Matleena Koivusaari is a brilliant young talent currently pursuing doctoral studies at the Sibelius Academy.
Double bassist Eero Ignatius, a full-time musician with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, is also a regular player with Avanti! and performs across Finland with the Waltteri Torikka Trio, among others.
The concert will be held at the Partala Kuninkaankartano Summer Theatre, which features a tiered auditorium. Intermission refreshments will be served in a stunning banquet space housed in the manor’s beautifully renovated former barn.
Duration: About 2 h / Intermission 30 min. / Cafeteria
Price: Standard price 35 € / Under 18 years or Student 17,50 € (In the Lippu.fi online shop, an order fee of 1,50 € + 0,65 % / whole order will be added)
