The Finnish musician Olli Mustonen is no stranger to Australian audiences. In fact, he has just completed his tenth tour with a truly excellent and generous piano recital in UKARIA’s unique concert hall.  Commencing with a set of five Beethoven piano variations based upon the musical ideas of others, Mustonen’s individuality and intellectual enquiry were immediately apparent. These works are not heard as much as Beethoven’s sonatas, but they are unique in displaying a portal to the future of his mature work for the instrument.

Olli Mustonen during his 2022 tour with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Photo © Julian Kingma

The first part of the recital was bookended by variations on themes that were familiar to Beethoven at the time of writing, including an aria by Paisiello and a Russian dance from a now forgotten ballet, Das Waldmädchen (The Forest Maiden). The central group proved to be particularly appropriate given the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, being based upon God Save the King and Rule Britannia. These performances were playful and light, and they immediately presented the pianist’s clarity in bringing out inner voices. As elsewhere in his...