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The Arts Desk
Robert Beale 4.2026
Aku Sorenson (sic.) had Brahms [3] to contend with. He brought well-built climaxes and clear structural landmarks, with a refreshingly mobile, almost vigorous, opening to the Andante contrasting with its impressively calm middle section. There was lovely cantabile playing in the Poco Allegretto, and a masculine and imperious approach to the finale’s main theme, bringing a sense of exultation before a much contrasted coda.
https://theartsdesk.com/classical-music/siemens-halle-international-conductors-competition-bridgewater-hall-manchester-review-gladiatorial
Hufvudstadsbladet
Mats Liljeroos 11.2024
"Allt detta föreföll självklart för Ylioppilaskunnan Soittajats dirigent Aku Sorensen, vars sätt att närma sig stycket skvallrade om en djup förtrogenhet med partituret, som han till synes mödolöst transformerade till en medryckande och färggrann fresk med de vokala och instrumentala elementen sömlöst integrerade."
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All of this seemed self-evident to Ylioppilaskunnan Soittajat’s conductor Aku Sorensen, whose approach to the piece spoke of a deep familiarity with the score, which he seemingly effortlessly transformed into a compelling and colorful fresco with the vocal and instrumental elements seamlessly integrated.
https://www.hbl.fi/kultur/aku-sorensen-styrde-suverant-sin-ensemble-over-vaughan-williams-hav/
Rondo Lehti
Harri Kuusisaari 23.7.2021
A profile of Aku in the highest circulation Finnish classical music periodical.
https://rondolehti.fi/artikkelit/aku-sorensen-tuo-festivaalille-lapin-luonnon-inspiraatioita/?fbclid=IwAR2k20CQOwe8mbp7pE7UwdZcnyw742uXjjRni_6lDxhaD5NWNQlJGim4s_U
Lapin Kansa
Veera Vasara 7.1.2020
Article on the Sounds of Luosto festival Aku is the artistic director of. Includes interview on programming for 2020.
https://www.lapinkansa.fi/luonto-ja-ilmasto-uuden-luosto-soi-festivaalin-tee/517107
Hufvudstadsbladet
Mats Liljeroos 11.2019
"Aku Sorensen, YS-dirigent sedan 2022, är en av våra mest begåvade
unga dirigenter, vilket han även med eftertryck bevisade i sin fräscha
och genuint musikaliska tolkning av Sibelius första symfoni."
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Aku Sorensen, YS conductor since 2022, is one of our most talented young conductors, a fact he emphatically demonstrated in his fresh and genuinely musical interpretation of Sibelius’s First Symphony.
https://www.hbl.fi/kultur/aku-sorensen-styrde-suverant-sin-ensemble-over-vaughan-williams-hav/
Helsingin Sanomat
Vesa Sirén 1.2.2020
"Vastakkaisten karakterien vuorottelu onnistuu hyvin. Orkesteri seuraa mieluusti hänen jokaista kädenliikettään myös Mahlerin pienissä hidastus- ja nopeutusmerkinnöissä."
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The rapid shifting between contrasting characters is very successful. The orchestra happily follows his every motion, especially in Mahler's delicate tempo changes
https://dynamic.hs.fi/a/2020/kapellimestariluokka/
The Arts Desk
David Nice 5.8.2023
"The conductor’s role is unobtrusive, so I asked Theodor later what he thought. Excellent, came the reply, because the cellist’s role in this meditation where the solo voice finally falls silent is about 70 per cent improvised, so Finnish-American Aku Sorensen needed to be exceptionally vigilant, and he was: another beneficiary of superb training from Jorma Panula and others in Helsinki."
https://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/theartsdesk-p%C3%A4rnu-music-festival-2023-small-seaside-town-biggest-roster-top-players
Lapin Kansa
Anu Jormalainen 30.10.2020
""... särmien otteiden perusteella voi konsertin apulaiskapellimestarille povata valoisaa tulevaisuutta podiumilla."
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On the basis of his firm control [of the Straivinsky], this concert's assistant conductor has a bright future on the podium.
https://www.lapinkansa.fi/arvostelu-soimaan-jaavia-merkkihetkia/3057418
Photo by Mario Ramirez
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