Concert on 19 March 2026 at 19:00
The chamber music series KAIKU / écho combines the youthful energy of Nordic and French contemporary music with classical masterpieces, using innovative concert concepts, and intertwining different art forms to create a singular experience. The performers include leading Finnish and French artists of various generations, whose artistry and passion for music resonate across our countries.
Klimatkvartetten – Music in dialogue with the planet
Klimatkvartetten (Climate Quartet) is a Finnish string ensemble where music meets climate science. Through bold cross-disciplinary collaborations, the group transforms concerts into encounters between art, research, and environmental action.
The core trio – violinist Terhi Paldanius, violist Vuokko Lahtinen, and cellist Joanna Hanhikoski – is joined by a rotating fourth member who could be a climate researcher, composer, writer, or musician. Each project takes on a new perspective, creating performances that are thought-provoking, emotionally resonant, and deeply relevant.
At Institut finlandais, the trio will be joined by Pihla Hintikka, who will read excerpts from Beasts of the Sea by Iida Turpeinen. The novel is a literary achievement and a breathtaking adventure through three centuries. Approaching natural diversity through individual destinies, it’s a story of grand human ambitions and the urge to resurrect what humankind in its ignorance has destroyed.
Klimatkvartetten has collaborated with meteorologist and author Kerttu Kotakorpi and the University of Jyväskylä, and performed at the Helsinki City Orchestra’s Kohtaamisia Club and the Hietsu is Happening! series. Upcoming projects include university partnerships, commissioned works, and performances in concert halls, libraries, forests, and public spaces.
Supported by the Kone Foundation’s Metsän puolella project.
Programme of the evening
Ida Moberg (1859–1947): Silence
Sebastian Fagerlund (born in 1972): Oceano (2011)
Per Nørgård (born in 1932): Pastorale
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Inventions
Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023): Cloud Trio (2009)
François Couperin (1668–1733): Les Barricades Mystérieuses
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764): Les Sauvages
Ensemble at Institut finlandais
Terhi Paldanius – Violin
A leading figure in Finnish chamber music, Terhi Paldanius is a founding member of the Kamus Quartet, a member of Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, and artistic director of Meidän Festivaali. She combines performance, teaching, and cross-artistic collaboration, and brings climate-conscious innovation into the music field through Klimatkvartetten.
Vuokko Lahtinen – Viola
Vuokko Lahtinen is an internationally active violist and conductor who has worked with major European orchestras and festivals. Her work bridges high-level musicianship and a strong commitment to equality, humanity, and social engagement through music.
Joanna Hanhikoski – Cello
Active across the Nordic countries, Joanna Hanhikoski performs as soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player. A passionate advocate for socially engaged art, she sees Klimatkvartetten as a platform where artistic excellence meets environmental responsibility.
Pihla Hintikka – Reading
Pihla Hintikka is a Finnish author and journalist based in Paris. She has published several books in Finnish and French, including novels and essays exploring themes such as society, equality, and women’s rights. Alongside her literary work, she writes cultural and feature journalism for publications including Helsingin Sanomat, focusing on literature, art, and contemporary society.