SIMON SVOBODA

An excerpt from my song ‘Halla’, which is the Finnish word for frost. Directed by the brilliant Max Hemmings (@maximilliagram ), this film was made as part of the ‘Live at Phoenix’ series at @phoenixcentralpark , recorded on the morning of my solo show there. Link in my bio for the entire video on YouTube xxxx

Live at Phoenix ep. 60: Simon Svoboda Finnish-Australian cellist and singer Simon Svoboda (@sim_svob ) performs “Halla” in our latest Live at Phoenix film, directed by Max Hemmings (@maximilliagram ). Bridging his love of contemporary songwriting with melodic ideas reminiscent of Baroque and early-modern periods, Svoboda layers intricate arpeggiation with exquisite vocalisations. Meanwhile, Hemmings’ camera seems to fracture his body into cubist fragments, evoking a powerful sense of the tension and relief felt during the depths of a Finnish winter. Svoboda performs on a 19th century Venetian cello once owned by his grandfather. Watch “Halla” on YouTube now 🎬 Director: Max Hemmings Live at Phoenix Producers: Soie An @an.so.ie , Angus Hunt @gushunt , and Josh Milch @joshmilch Cinematographer: Jack Saltmiras @jack_saltmiras Editors: Andrea Chen @andreakillua and Max Hemmings 1st AC: Luke Rodeley @lukerodelyfilms Lighting Designer: Andre Vanderwert @visitandre Makeup Artist: Lenny Irwin @lenny_irwin Recording Engineer: Michael Wickens @not.your.ol.mate Recording Assistant: Nathan Moas @land.systems Associate Producer: Chelsea Wittleton @chelsea.witt Mix Engineer: Nathan Moas Executive Producer: Judith Neilson AM

Taking Season XVI to its conclusion, Finnish-Australian cellist and singer Simon Svoboda (@sim_svob ) delivered a diverse and emotionally potent program in The Nest, bridging his own composing and songwriting with his accomplishments as a classical musician. The very act of performing contemporary works with vocals on a 19th century Venetian cello once owned by his grandfather perfectly embodies Svoboda’s practice as an artist: squaring his creative hunger with the richness afforded by mastering a classical tradition. Svoboda’s absolute control of the instrument allows him to vocalise ethereal melodies with extraordinary intonation while maintaining intricate arpeggiation, exploring the full spectrum of his instrument: from whisper to grit. At Phoenix, his vocal range and melodic instincts recalled Thom Yorke, offering an exquisite foil to the timbre of his instrument during "Halla", a melancholic meditation on the depths of a Finnish winter. Another highlight, following a radiant Sarabande from Bach’s cello Suite No. 1 was an improvisation around a theme by the late Finnish composer Jaakko Kuusisto, who Svoboda knew personally. But it was his own arrangement of Sydney composer and double bassist Jacques Emery’s “Canto” which produced the most rapturous applause, in part because Emery himself (@jacques.pze ) was in the room watching on. 📸 @jordankmunns 💡 @visitandre — Program: SVOBODA Kaamos Sibelius Improv Jean Halla BACH Sarabande from Suite No.1 in G major, BWV 1007 J. KUUSISTO Improvisation around a theme from Loisto VASKS Pianissimo EMERY Canto (arr. Svoboda) SVOBODA Home(sick) Savu

Happy first Mother’s Day to this absolute queen and best mum ever for our little guy ❤️ You’re a superhero @kirsikkakaisa !!!

Wait for the drop…. #celloduo #cello #classicalmusic #acdc #acdcswag 📷: @ipokivimaki

Yesterday was legendary Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ 80th birthday, so I thought I would post this clip of his piece ‘Pianissimo’ from my soundcheck at @sibeliusmuseum the other week The camera angle isn’t the most flattering but YOLO #cello #classicalmusic #vasks #pianissimo

Some souvenirs from @sibeliusmuseum last Friday. Thank you to everyone who came out and made the atmosphere in the room so special 🩶 And a special shout out to the majority of the @turkuphilharmonic cello section who came to support! 💪🤟 #sibeliusmuseum #dadswag #cello #singing #swagcello photo credit: @studiosvarte Linda Svarfvar lighting credit: @mikkosiipola

Turku legends! Going to be playing this sort of stuff at @sibeliusmuseum next Friday 13.3 7pm Tix link in bio 🤙 see you there!!! Video: @tuupi @tuupics Audio: @itsjoelward #singing #cello #sibeliusmuseum #turku #classicalmusic

Den australiska–finska musikern Simon Svoboda i sin första solokonsert i Åbo! På museets konsert den 13.3 kl. 19.00 framför han egna kompositioner samt musik av bl.a. J.S. Bach, Peteris Vasks och Jaakko Kuusisto. /// Australialais–suomalainen muusikko Simon Svoboda ensi kertaa soolokonsertissa Turussa! Museon konsertissa 13.3. klo 19 sellisti, laulaja ja säveltäjä Svoboda esittää omien sävellysten lisäksi musiikkia mm. J.S. Bachilta, Peteris Vasksilta ja Jaakko Kuusistolta. Simon Svoboda @Sibeliusmuseum 13th of March 2026 🎻 @sim_svob

SO pumped for this one!! Going to be bringing my show to the iconic @sibeliusmuseum in Turku - would be so sick to see some friendly faces there xxx link for tickets in bio! Music by myself, Vasks, an improvisation around a theme by Jaakko Kuusisto, Bach, @helensvoboda_music , @jacques.pze and maybe some more surprises.

2025 was a big one - thanks to everyone who made this year so special! Things I’m pumped about for this year: Getting into the studio soon and recording my new solo ALBUM Solo show at the iconic @sibeliusmuseum on 13.3 (tix in bio) Hanging with the fam Hanging with friends Making a new vid with @simonandtommi @rahkatommi Playing some tango swag with our newly formed group with swaglords @samipirttilahti @anttilantarmo @santerikaipiainen @liammansfieldviolin Hopefully doing lots more cool stuff, stay tuned Big love to all and I hope everyone has had a great start to 2026! Xxx

I’m very excited to announce that I will be performing my solo show at the @sibeliusmuseum on Friday the 13th (uh oh) of March 2026! Super stoked to have the opportunity to play my music in such an iconic and beautiful space, it’s going to be a special one! 😍 Link to tickets in my bio , hope to see you in Turku! Xxx Photo credit: @jordankmunns for @phoenixcentralpark 🔥