Linkola Jukka - The Astoria (Music for Theatre) - Lahden kaupunginteatterin orkesteri
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The Astoria - A charming love story between two worlds Astoria, composed by Jukka Linkola and lyrics written by Jukka Itkonen, is a musical recording filled...
The Astoria - A charming love story between two worlds
Astoria, composed by Jukka Linkola and lyrics written by Jukka Itkonen, is a musical recording filled with strong emotions. CD includes 19 catching melodies, e.g. Beneath your eyes, The Acacia Grove and Don’t say no, don’t say yes.
The Story
Helena and Tom, a Hungarian museum clerk and a German policeman, meet by chance in modern Budapest, in a hotel café that has, in the course of its history, witnessed many generations of peace and war, love and terror. Against this setting the musical looks back to occupied Hungary, to the wartime autumn and spring of 1944-45. Music is as much a part of life at the hotel as it always was, though because of the war the clientele is different: Nazi officers sweep in through the main entrance as secret messages to the opposition are handed out through the back. Trapped between two worlds, Hermann and Anna fall in love. But as the news from the front spells imminent catastrophe, the fight for freedom puts paid to personal hopes and their ways part. Memories in the music and the strains of the beautiful Acacia Grove song bring lovers together again decades later – in happier times?
Composer, conductor and active musician, Jukka Linkola (b. 1955) began his career in jazz but has, since the 1980s, become increasingly well known as a composer of art music. His output has been exceptionally large, taking in orchestral works, concertos and chamber music, operas, songs, musicals and jazz. All in all 40 discs of music by him have so far been released. Linkola has won many honours for his compositions, such as first prize in the Paris Opera Screen and the Midem Awards for his opera Angelika and in the Concours International de Composition de la Ville du Havre for Structures, and the IAJE Prize in Boston. At home in Finland he has been the recipient of many major awards.