Finlandia Hall

The last stage is about to begin. Now that the finalists have been announced, the pace has really been stepped up. The results of the semi-finals were phoned straight to the Sibelius Academy foyer, where Annica, the other competition secretary, and I were waiting with the other contestants in Helsinki. Luckily the Taiga Club was on in the café and we could hear cheerful folk music, which eased the tension somewhat. We had to wait what seemed an awfully long time, because the results didn’t come through until just before midnight. My colleague read the results to a small band of contestants. Two of them were through to the finals and the rest were to drop out. The atmosphere was, however, calm though it was sad to see the disappointed faces.

The next day the phone rang and rang and rang. At one point four more calls had come while I was dealing with one. Naturally there is a growing demand for interviews the further the competition proceeds. The competition office has moved to Finlandia Hall. YLE filmed and interviewed the finalists and some of the jury. Tired contestants were dragged from one camera to another. The jury held a feedback session for those who had been eliminated. The orchestral rehearsals began and the contestants were keen.

Keen though they are, all the contestants were dead beat. The same applied to us secretaries yesterday. The late hour at which the results were announced and the tension robbed us of our sleep. My head felt like it was full of porridge and I had to choose my words with real care… But luckily we were “let off duty” earlier than we had been for days and today feels quite different. The contestants have also rested well, and best of all, they very much like the orchestras and conductors. Great if they enter the finals inspired!

Today is a quiet day at the office, too. The press tickets have been organised and my colleague is right now arranging the VIP tickets ready to hand out. Our Italian semi-finalist called in to say goodbye because he’s off tomorrow – with no bad feelings – towards Southern Europe and summer.

But what are the contestants knocked out in round one up to now? Holding private recitals for their host families! We heard of two first-rounders who are still here. The lads had been to Tallinn together and today they’re giving a private concert for all the host families. What could be nicer!

Eeva