Singer Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS, KOTIPELTO, CAIN'S OFFERING) played a short set for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday, April 20 at a presidential dinner held by Finnish President Tarja Halonen in honor of Medvedev's visit to Finland. Timo was accompanied during the performance by Matias Kupiainen (STRATOVARIUS), Jani Liimatainen (CAIN'S OFFERING, ex-SONATA ARCTICA) and the Kaarti military band/orchestra led by conductor Elias Seppälä. Around 130 people attended the dinner, including Finnish political leaders, a number of high-rank officials, diplomats, and representatives of finance and culture. A metal fanatic, Medvedev listened to Kotipelto's three-song performance (consisting of the STRATOVARIUS hits "Hunting High And Low" and "Black Diamond" plus a cover of DEEP PURPLE's "Burn") with excitement and, according to Ilta-Sanomat, asked for one more number. The musicians then launched into the RAINBOW song "I Surrender". Timo Kotipelto received an invitation to perform for the president a week and a half ago. He committed to the unusual gig, but only he could find a guitarist or two to accompany him. He said, "I thought, let's do this special thing and play with two guitars."

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