Ace Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov makes his first appearance in Kokkola! Awarded for his discs, he will be conducting – from the piano – the catchy, ironic first piano concerto by Shostakovich along with other works. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Finnish composer Joonas Kokkonen, and in honour of this the orchestra will play his Durch einen Spiegel, with Melnikov seated at the harpsichord.