The Biblical Songs concert on August 5 offers a moment of calm and comfort for those in need of solace.
We spoke with Esa Ruuttunen in the spring about the upcoming church concert, and here’s what he shared about his connection to South Savo and the concert program:
“Over the course of my long singing career, I’ve performed in church concerts all over the country, quite extensively in fact, and I vaguely recall singing once in the Anttola Church as well. A clear connection to the area has been the long-serving parish pastor Erkki Rouhiainen—my fellow student at the Faculty of Theology—and his wife, organist Sirkka Rouhiainen, from my time at the Sibelius Academy. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to sing in Anttola the beloved Biblical Songs by Antonin Dvořák together with a chamber orchestra.”
“I’ve performed quite a bit in the South Savo region. I’ve given concerts in Mikkeli Cathedral as well as the rural parish church on several occasions, for example with Matti-Veikko Kuusi and Tapio Tiittu. A special memory is from one summer concert with Tapio in the Cathedral. The concert was scheduled for the afternoon, and we arrived to rehearse right after the church service. The summer organist, a student, was distraught because a couple had requested A Whiter Shade of Pale—with its iconic Hammond organ solo—as their wedding music, and the student couldn’t play it. As the wedding was about to begin, Tapio created a magnificent classical arrangement of the piece, which played as the couple walked down the aisle.”
“My most recent concerts in the Cathedral have been with my longtime friend Toivo Ruotsalainen, the last just a couple of years ago. I’ve also had the pleasure of performing as a soloist with various orchestras in both churches.”
“Of course, my relationship with South Savo has grown very warm and full of memories thanks to over twenty years of nearly annual performances at the Savonlinna Opera Festival.”
“I served as a pastor at Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki for ten years, from 1975 to 1984. When my professional singing career began, I left the pastoral position, but not the vocation. I have continued to serve as a liturgist at festival services, including at the Savonlinna Opera Festival. I still perform church ceremonies when asked. Last year was particularly heavy, as several close people passed away. The memorial services have continued into this year as well. In recent years, I’ve given fewer sermons and speeches. Somehow, age-old melodies and (hymn)poetry seem to express my spiritual life more profoundly than ever.”
“The first five of Dvořák’s Biblical Songs have been part of my repertoire for decades. I didn’t have Finnish translations of the latter five, but I wanted to include them in my program too—so I translated them myself for performance. I’ve performed the full cycle several times, including a few occasions with orchestra. I am deeply happy to have the chance to sing them again. In Dvořák’s compositions, these psalm texts—over two thousand years old—receive both a tender and powerful interpretation. His musical language includes beautiful melodies with echoes of the American gospel music of his adopted homeland, as well as elements of Czech folk music.”
One of the most beloved psalms, number 23, The Shepherd’s Psalm, is among the most touching pieces in the cycle. I have performed it as a standalone song more than any other—often at memorial services. Its message is truly comforting.
Biblical Songs
Anttola church 5.8. at 6 pm
St Michel Strings
Erkki Lasonpalo, conductor
Esa Ruuttunen, bariton
18.7.2025
The Biblical Songs concert on August 5 offers a moment of calm and comfort for those in need of solace.
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