In 2017, the composer and art academic Kaija Saariaho, who died last summer, made a million euro donation for the Music Hall organ project. She started the project, which was followed by City of Helsinki, Yleisradio and the Ministry of Education and Culture. The long project was finally completed in 2023.
Now, this amazingly fince concert instrument from the Austrian company Riegel Orgelbau organ makes it possible for Helsinki Music Hall to finally have an organ instrument.
The organ has 123 voices and is one of the most largest modern concert hall organs in the world. The design language of the organ is unparalleled and shapes the image of the organ. In contrast to normal, the organ's ca. 10 000 pipes are placed inside the instrument and the pipeline that normally transports the air flow insinde the organ is made visible. The shape of the instrument fits well with the beautiful architecture of the Music Hall.
The organ of the Music Hall is rich and suitable for performing as many types of music as possible. We have tried to see them as an instrument of the future and thus are not tied to any era, style or genre. For composers, the instrument offers numerous auxiliary devices and technical solutions; microtonal reeds, adjustable air pressure system and numerous high-pitched tones. The organ has two soundboards, one on the stage and the other one above, near the organ. This enables the organist to work right next to the conductor and in full view of the audience.
