Larufest: From Sunrise to Thanksgiving

An evening at the Larufest festival in Lauttasaaren Church brings together three string quartet works united by themes of gratitude and praise. Joseph Haydn's string quartet op. 76 no. 4 "Sunrise" opens the evening and is performed by the French Arod Quartet. Minna von Knorring's songs - Har du en vän, Svarta svanar, and Min hed - introduce a Finland-Swedish vocal tradition; soprano Emma Kajander sings with pianist Keigo Mukawa. The evening concludes with Pēteris Vasks's sixth string quartet, composed to honour Beethoven's 250th anniversary and referencing the third movement of Beethoven's 15th quartet, "Holy Thanksgiving Song of a Convalescent to the Deity in the Lydian Mode". It is performed by the French Hanson Quartet.

Emma Kajander won the Lappeenranta Song Competition in 2025. Keigo Mukawa is known for interpretations that respect the stylistic features of different periods.