“The Ring without Words worked magnificently in Tampere” – press review

In Tampere, Pietari Inkinen’s long-standing affinity with Wagner was once again at the centre of critical attention. His performance of The Ring without Words with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra was praised for its assurance, balance and intensity, with the orchestra taking on the leading role in a performance described as noble, tireless and deeply committed.

Writing for Aamulehti, Harri Autala noted that Wagner is “particularly close to Inkinen”, who has distinguished himself internationally in this repertoire, including at the Bayreuth Festival, where he conducted the entire Ring cycle. The critic underlined that Inkinen’s international experience could be heard in “the assurance with which he held the orchestral suite together”.

Autala praised the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and Inkinen for a “noble, tireless, and intensely committed performance”, writing that the orchestra “sang collectively as one great body”. He also singled out the horn and cello sections as “exceptionally magnificent”, capturing both “the golden radiance of the Ring” and “the thrilling mystery of ancient legends”.

Read the press quotes below:

“The Ring without Words worked magnificently in Tampere under conductor Pietari Inkinen. Wagner is particularly close to Inkinen, who has distinguished himself internationally in this repertoire, including at the Bayreuth Festival, where he has conducted the entire *Ring* cycle.

Inkinen’s international experience could be heard in the assurance with which he held the orchestral suite together. Transformed into pure music, the wordless Ring gives the orchestra the complete leading role.

Tampere Philharmonic rose to that challenge together with Inkinen in a noble, tireless, and intensely committed performance. The orchestra, in a sense, sang collectively as one great body.

After such a powerful and balanced performance, one perhaps should not single anyone out above the others, but Aleksi Mäkimattila’s horn section and the cello section led by Kalle-Pekka Koponen were exceptionally magnificent. In their sound was crystallized both the golden radiance of the Ring and the thrilling mystery of ancient legends.”

Harri Autala, Aamulehti

[Photo: Raul Pinto / Metropolitana]