Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis

The symphony choir Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis (CCA) was established in 1982 for skilled amateur singers. The choir was named after Turku Cathedral, and its main functions are performing in special services of the Cathedral and cooperation with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra (TFO). With TFO the choir has already performed over 130 times. While maintaining close association with TFO, the choir has also partnered other leading orchestras, including the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, and Jyväskylä Sinfonia. Internationally, CCA has worked with many orchestras, including the French Orchestre National du Lorraine.

At the heart of the choir’s repertoire are choral masterpieces and major works of church music for chorus and orchestra. During the last years, choir’s repertoire has embraced Zoltán Kodály’s Psalmus Hungaricus, Antonin Dvorák’s Stabat Mater, Leon Janacek’s Glagolitic Mass, Sir Michael Tippett’s Child of Our Time, Joseph Haydn’s Creation, Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater, Hector Berlioz’s Tristia, Johannes Brahms’ Deutsches Requiem, Felix Mendelssohn's Lobgesang, as well as Ludvig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Requiems by Verdi, Mozart and Fauré, lead by various national and international conductors.

CCA has performed with numerous acclaimed Finnish and international soloists: Karita Mattila, Matti Salminen, Jaakko Ryhänen, Soile Isokoski, Juha Uusitalo, Jorma Silvasti, Raimo Sirkiä, Monica Groop, Jose Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa and Barbara Hendricks, to mention a few.

CCA has also organised a cappella concerts, such as Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Vigil, and performed as an opera choir. In August 2005, CCA was part of the production of Richard Wagner’s Flying Dutchman, and during the autumn, performed with Karita Mattila in her Arias concert at Hartwall Arena, Helsinki. In June 2007 the choir performed Edward Grieg’s Peer Gynt in Nordische Musik festival in Saarbrücken, Germany.

During its history of 30 years, the choir’s artistic directors have been Jouko Hytönen, Raili Leinonen, Juha Kuivanen and Seppo Murto. Since autumn 2008, the choir has been conducted and trained by Timo Lehtovaara.