Work of the Week – Sebastian Hilli: 1977 – A Violin Concerto

By Christopher Peter
18 May 2025

Composer Sebastian Hilli stands in front of a red-and-black wall with a retro geometric pattern. He wears a black shirt and looks calmly at the camera.

On May 21, 2025, at Helsinki’s Musiikkitalo, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra will give the world premiere of Finnish composer Sebastian Hilli’s new work: 1977 – A Violin Concerto. The soloist will be violinist Pekka Kuusisto, for whom the piece was written, and the orchestra will be conducted by Nicholas Collon. This violin concerto was commissioned by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) in collaboration with BBC Radio 3 and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra.

Twelve Months, Twelve Moments

Hilli’s violin concerto takes the audience through all twelve months of the year 1977 – each of the short movements is devoted to a real-life event from that year. The result is a musical time-travel mosaic where curious natural phenomena, tragedies, cultural milestones and personal stories stand side by side.

The year 1977, for example, began with an unexpected snowfall in sunny Miami. In the spring, the world witnessed the deadliest aviation accident in history on the island of Tenerife, and at the same time found new hope in the form of a cinematic fairy tale: in May 1977 Star Wars premiered. That same year, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires held their first marches for their missing children, the music world mourned Elvis Presley, and the disco anthem “Stayin’ Alive” took the charts by storm. 1977 was also the birth year of Pekka Kuusisto – in this way, Hilli’s concerto brings together biographical, political and pop-cultural elements in a unique collage.

Of Love and Survival

As disparate as these events may seem, in 1977 – A Violin Concerto they come together in sound to reveal a deeper meaning. Hilli himself emphasizes that the collage of episodes speaks to something universal:

These events provide a sort of libretto for the work, which together with the music creates a broader story about the human condition, the random nature of life, love, trials and tribulations and, perhaps above all, survival. (Sebastian Hilli)

Time-Travel with the Violin

At the heart of this musical chronicle of 1977 is, of course, the solo part. Pekka Kuusisto, for whom the concerto was composed, is the ideal protagonist: he is known for his versatility and for effortlessly pushing musical boundaries. In 1977 – A Violin Concerto, the violin becomes a narrative thread guiding the audience from scene to scene. Each movement opens a new chapter of sound – sometimes nostalgic or lyrical, sometimes dramatic or strikingly modern. Together with the orchestra, the solo violin creates a vivid musical history book full of contrasts.

Your opinion counts

Which of the 1977 events featured in 1977 – A Violin Concerto intrigues you the most? How do you imagine that event might sound set to music? Share your thoughts under the hashtag #WorkoftheWeek – for example on our social media channels!