Science Frictions Premiere

One of 2023 highlights was to get the opportunity to compose “Science Frictions”, a 20 minute piece in 7 movements to a text by Cia Rinne. “Science Frictions” is the Conferment Cantataof  Helsinki University for their 100th Conferment Ceremony Jubilee. The piece was performed four times by the wonderful countertenor David Hackston, the Academic Choral Society and Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Aku Sorensen.

Doktor Kristina Ranki and composer Cecilia Damström

“Science Frictions” was premiered at the Opening Ceremony of the Conferment Jubilee on the 20th of March in the Great Hall at the main building of Helsinki University. The piece received a wonderful by Finnish musicologist and semiologist Eero Tarasti, currently serving as Professor Emeritus of Musicology at the University of Helsinki. He sums beautifully up Rinne’s text: “It can be said that the text [by Cia Rinne] places the work in a pan-European intellectual context; this is not some backroom Finnish blustering, but a universal avant-garde. For this reason, the work could be presented anywhere in Europe – and hopefully it will be.” Such an honour to get to talk to Eero Tarasti and his wife, musicologist Eila Tarasti (see slide 7).

Cecilia Damström, Eila Tarasti and Eero Tarasti

The Conferment Ceremony of Helsinki University is a 385 year old tradition, and for the anniversary of the 100th Ceremony, they commissioned the Finnish Fashion Designer Ella Bought to design new non binary clothing, that can be worn during the ceremony.

Designed by Ella Boucht

Designer Ella Bought and composer Cecilia Damström

Curator of the whole Conferment 100th Jubilee was Doctor Kristina Ranki (see the first photo), who as an historian naturally also curated an exhibition of the history of the Conferment Ceremony at Helsinki University. Very honoured to have my score included in the exhibition, along side for instance the Conferment Cantata of Leevi Madetoja and Jean Sibelius.

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Very thankful for all my friends and family who came and watched and for all the lovely flowers!