Mika Väyrynen (born 1967) is one of the most known classical accordion artists in the whole world. He has performed with most of the Finnish symphony orchestras and toured widely in Europe and Asia. His cooperation with many directors and composers has produced many accordion music premiers. For example, Erkki-Sven Tüür's Concerto and Aulis Sallinen's solo work Preludes and fugues op 95 have been born from the close work between the performer and the composer. Aulis Sallinen's orchestra piece Chamber music V - Barabbas variations has been played many times in several countries by Väyrynen.
 
In the Ikaalinen Church, Mika Väyrynen performed this monumental all Bach (1685-1750) program by memory, as only he could do. The extraordinary concert of music by Bach comprised several of his works including the French Suites, which were originally written for clavier (harpsichord or clavichord) in the early 1720's, when Bach composed a large number of instrumental pieces at the court of Köthen. Passacaglia and Fugue is a huge piece composed for organ. Its genius moves music listeners, and has amazed scientists for nearly 300 years. The last movement of J.S. Bach's solo violin partita, "The Chaconne", has inspired pianists over a hundred years, but especially Mika Väyrynen's brilliant transcription for the accordion has shown Bach's excellence over different instruments and over the ages.

Greeting to the 40-year-old Sata-Häme Soi -festival

I remember meeting You for the very first time. I was still a little boy, in the beginning of my playing career. I came to You to study some more - at that time the national accordion course was held at the same time as the festival. I didn't know to expect how long our journey together would be. The little boy grew older, the student became a teacher. There were many shared memories of performing, teaching at the accordion camp and judging at the competitions.
 
The youngster became adult, a professional musician and I noticed that You had changed, too. You became international, like me, but Your natural and friendly character has remained the same all these years. You still welcome warmly all the guests and treat them like a good friend. Sometimes I visited You also in the wintertime. Ikaalinen was sleeping the winter sleep but I knew you were awake, preparing for the summer to come, like every year.
 
There has been times, when You have been my only connection to Finnish music summer - especially at the beginning of my career, when I wasn't regularly invited to the other music festivals. Practically all Your national accordion festival colleagues have retired but You have had the strength to continue.
 
Now when you are turning 40, I want to congratulate you and thank you for your friendship. I congratulate all, that have had the faith in you for all these 40 years. Mika Väyrynen

Mika is pictured here (right and below) prior to his concert. Photos courtesy of Minna Plihtari (Festival Public Relations Manager).

 
An unforgettable experience, and may a 'once in a lifetime one', the audience enjoyed the following masterpieces on Mika's program:

• Prelude XXIV in b minor (BWV 569)
  
  
• Chaconne in d minor (BWV 1004)
  

The French Sujites:

• Suite 1 (BWV 812)
  Allemande
  Courante
  Sarabande
  Menuet I and II, Menuet I da capo
  Gigue
  
  
• Suite 2 (BWV 813)
  Allamande
  Courante
  Sarabande
  Air
  Menuet 1 and II, Menuet I da capo
  Gigue
  
  
• Suite 3 (BWV 814)
  Allemande
  Courante
  Sarabande
  Anglaise
  Menuet I and II, Menuet I da capo
  Gigue
  
  
• Passacaglia in C Minor (BWV 582)
  Passacaglia
  Thema Fugatum

http://blog.satahamesoi.fi