Violin soloist Vesa-Matti Leppänen looks much younger than his 39 years.
His Scandinavian ice-blue eyes crinkle when our photographer tries to coax a smile out of him.
"I don't usually smile when I play the violin," he explains, apologetically.
He draws some spine-tingling notes and they fly off his 230-year-old Italian violin like shards of ice.
Leppänen is looking forward to playing in the Southern Sinfonia's "Russian Masters" international series concert in the Dunedin Town Hall on Saturday.
"One of my most memorable concerts in New Zealand was Jonathan Lemalu's [2004] home-coming," he recalls.
"The audience's support was stunning.
"It is obvious to me that Dunedin has support and appreciation for fine arts and classical music.
"The audience is always appreciative and knowledgeable.
"Dunedin has one of the best halls in the country. I love the acoustics. It is wonderful to play in.
"Dunedin has tradition, too."
Leppänen's star turn in the concert will be a recital of Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No 2.
"I, personally, love the concerto. It's not a late romantic piece.
"It's more introverted than that, so it suits me because I'm Finnish," he says, grinning.
"It's a beautiful concerto, with influences from Russian folk music to Spanish castanets. The second movement's theme in its 'sound world' and beauty is a wonderful example of the themes that Prokofiev wrote and then used in his music.
"I really enjoy early 20th century violin music. It was a time of real discovery in terms of style. The more romantic 'fat' concertos changed into slightly less bold, melancholic and cryptic in style.
"Prokofiev's music is never unapproachable. He was an extremely good orchestrator and had wonderful understanding of colours and how to create the musical atmosphere he wanted."
However, not all New Zealand audiences have appreciated the Finnish virtuoso.
In February, Leppänen took part in a TV3 social experiment to see if people could recognise world-class talent if it was given freely.
He busked outside Wellington Railway Station during rush hour, playing Bach on a priceless violin.
But few people took much notice and after a couple of hours he had accumulated just over $20 in change.
"People are going home after a long day at work," he says. "I understand that. I was thinking when I played: 'Would I stop?' It's interesting."
Leppänen emigrated to New Zealand in 2000, working as New Zealand Symphony Orchestra assistant concertmaster before being appointed concertmaster in 2003.
"New Zealand has a lot of talented young musicians; either starting their careers or still studying here in New Zealand or overseas. The challenge for a young New Zealand musician is to understand the level that is needed from a professional musician, worldwide."
However, Leppänen believes New Zealand's relative youth can give it a musical edge.
"Having the history and, especially, tradition behind an institution like a symphony orchestra can have a negative effect also.
"Arts institutions need to reinvent themselves regularly to stay visible and fresh.
"Relying on history and tradition will not bring new audience or appreciation in general.
"That is why I think that New Zealand can have an advantage in this area," he says.
"Also, a short history can be cherished. For example, the NZSO office walls are covered with signed photos of soloists and conductors who have been working with the orchestra.
"You can find photos of people like Henryk Szeryng, Igor Stravinsky, Pinchas Zukerman, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Vadim Repin, Stephen Isserlis and so on.
"Walking through the offices, you realise that the short history has had some amazing musical highlights."
• See them
- The Southern Sinfonia presents "Russian Masters" at 8pm on Saturday in the Dunedin Town Hall.
- Australian conductor Brett Kelly will lead the orchestra.
- The programme is: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture (Tchaikovsky), Violin Concerto No 2 (Prokofiev) and Symphony No 7 (Beethoven).
- The Sinfonia then wraps up its 2010 international series on May 29, with "A Triple Birthday Extravaganza", celebrating the 200th birthdays of Chopin and Schumann and the 150th birthday of Mahler.
- The concert will feature soprano Emma Fraser, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Modi Deng, under the baton of conductor Werner Andreas Albert.
- The programme is: Variations on "La ci darem la mano" (Chopin), Cello Concerto in A Minor (Schumann) and Symphony No 4 (Mahler).
- "Russian Masters" will be preceded by a free talk by Dr Alan Davison from 7.10pm until 7.30pm in Chester's Lounge at the Dunedin Town Hall.
