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Violin Concerto: A Requiem Violin and orchestra Composed: 2023 Watch / listen Maria Puusaari , violin, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra , cond. Ruut Kiiski World premiere performance, recorded by the Finnish Broadcasting Company at Tampere Biennale Festival on April 17, 2026 Full concert recording. Klami's Violin Concerto begins at time 12:24, and ends at 40:30. Score / parts Edition Wilhelm Hansen Instrumentation and duration Solo violin and orchestra: 2(pic).2.2(bcl)2./2.2.0.0/perc./Str. (minimum 6.4.4.2.2, preferred: 8.6.6.4.3) Duration: 26 minutes Movements I. De profundis II. Alcheringa III. Ad lucem Commission / dedications Commissioned by Maria Puusaari with support from Madetoja Foundation and Teosto Commission Fund. Dedicated to Maria Puusaari Publisher Edition Wilhelm Hansen / Wise Music Classical Accolades Nominated for the 2026 Finnish Music Publishers Association's Composer of Year award in large-scale work category First performance Maria Puusaari, violin, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Ruut Kiiski, Tampere Biennale Festival, Tampere Hall, Tampere, Finland, April 17, 2026 Reflections Concert review, published on Aamulehti by Harri Hautala April 18, 2026 From [Suvisoitto for flute and tape by Usko] Meriläinen , the program moved directly to Markku Klami’s new violin concerto Requiem . The listener may or may not keep in mind the theme of involuntary childlessness that underlies the work, but as pure music the concerto made a deep impression. It does not strive for outward display; instead, it speaks powerfully through its inner voices. In this concerto, Klami has created an exceptionally refined sound world, in which the rich orchestral writing and the solo violin communicate with sensitivity and natural ease. Stylistically, the musical language even approaches neo-Romanticism or neo-Classicism, yet feels fresh and avoids cliché. The interplay of light and shadow resonated movingly and beautifully, both in the orchestra and in the nuanced performance of violinist Maria Puusaari . Concert review, published on Kulttuuritoimitus by Kikka Holmberg April 19, 2026 Klami’s Violin Concerto Requiem was heard in the concert as a world premiere. This finely nuanced work, at times almost otherworldly in its beauty, received an airtight and highly charged interpretation from violinist Maria Puusaari and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Ruut Kiiski . Concert review, published on Simpukka Society website by Pirkko Heimonen April 22, 2026 Markku Klami’s Violin Concerto: A Requiem tells a personal story from a seven-year journey through childlessness. He hopes the work will offer comfort to others who have experienced involuntary childlessness. Violinist Maria Puusaari interprets the piece with great artistry together with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ruut Kiiski . The work is divided into three movements: De profundis (From the Depths), Alcheringa (Dreamtime), and Ad lucem (Toward the Light). Klami did not wish to give explicit listening instructions; instead, he encouraged listeners to focus on the emotions evoked by the music. He specified that the piece does not follow a particular theoretical framework, but is shaped by the emotions he experienced during his journey—from frustration to acceptance. At the beginning, one hears the rumble of thunder. The music surges with anger, frustration, and anxiety—perhaps even disbelief. There is a sense of escape, of running away from something. A rapid violin figure conveying dark emotional tones recurs throughout the work, especially in the first movement. The acoustics of the large hall carry all the nuances of the music clearly to the listener. The transition between the first and second movements is clearly perceptible. The music calms. Low, tranquil textures convey a deeply moving sorrow that resonates with the listener. A little later, a bubbling sense of hope emerges—like a spring stream and birdsong. At times, the music brings in mind film scores. One can hear hope flickering on and off. Toward the end, there is a gentle rocking motion, the mood perhaps cautiously serene. The third movement begins grandly. Once again, we find ourselves amid storm and surging emotions. At times, the work is open to interpretation. Does the now-calmer music express serenity or the fatigue of struggle? Those who have experienced childlessness may identify with the ebb and flow of emotions. The music rises, and a faster, more joyful tempo begins. If at the start one was running away from something, this feels like a springtime dash toward something. At the end, the same melancholy heard at the beginning returns, and the piece concludes with a deep sigh—acceptance? Markku Klami describes his feelings after the concert: “Expectations were high, and the violin soloist, the conductor, and the orchestra all gave a magnificent and deeply moving premiere. It will take time to process all of this, as many years of a journey were crystallized into that evening. I feel happy and grateful.” Concert review, published on Jälkikaikuja Korvakäytävillä by Jari Hoffrén April 23, 2026 Markku Klami's Violin Concerto: A Requiem has received more public attention than usual (including a lengthy interview with the composer on the Kulttuuritoimitus website) because of its subject: a composer who has struggled with long-term childlessness—so the program notes tell us—channeling his feelings into the concerto as a “personal therapeutic work.” The notion of a “therapeutic work” is itself a label that invites reflection; Gustav Mahler, at least, readily comes to mind as a candidate for composing such pieces. Markku Klami thus clearly defined both the starting points and the style of the concerto: when one wishes to convey comfort and hope, “certain stylistic devices of contemporary music are not particularly suited to that purpose”—what matters is a striving for “unashamed beauty.” (Possibly for this reason, the orchestration is economical: there are only three double basses, and even they remain silent for extended passages.) The concerto indeed unfolds in line with these premises as a listening experience in which the dramatic arc and contrasts are clearly mirrored on the emotional level, the texture remains easy to follow, and at times richly adorned with finely crafted, miniature-like details. Overall, the work breathes a delicate fragility, an alternation between hope and despair, while the solo part offers the violinist much to play; Maria Puusaari , a tireless interpreter of contemporary music, performed excellently. The rich continuum of Romantic tradition has thus gained another Finnish violin concerto—one that admirers of the style can certainly appreciate even without any knowledge of its background; in this sense, the work succeeds in touching on something broadly human. Concert review, published on Kompositio by Jari Kallio June 10, 2026 The gravitational center of the program was formed by two world premieres that were quite different in character, yet equally compelling in their own ways: Markku Klami’s deeply affecting Violin Concerto: Requiem (2023), commissioned by Maria Puusaari, and Matilda Seppälä’s The Moment We Notice Each Other (2026), which insightfully transcends the boundaries of traditional orchestral expression. Klami’s three-movement concerto, lasting nearly half an hour, resounded as a requiem for unborn life. Although the work’s extra-musical origins lie in a deeply personal process of grief, its musical logic functions as a compelling narrative in its own right, and familiarity with the background is by no means necessary to engage with the piece. At the center of the concerto stands a fully written-out cadenza that develops earlier material while introducing ideas that later come to the fore in the second half of the work. This concertante requiem does not seek to reinvent the genre; instead, it finds its own distinctive voice remarkably successfully within a traditional large-scale framework. Nor does Klami make a virtue of virtuosity, even though the solo part written for Puusaari is far from undemanding. The soloist, the [Tampere Philharmonic] orchestra, and conductor Ruut Kiiski delivered a premiere performance of the highest caliber. Composer's Notes My Violin Concerto is a Requiem to an unborn life. A deeply personal work for me, this concerto draws its inspiration from such profound personal experiences as unwanted infertility, and the experiences and thoughts that arose during this very difficult journey of dealing with unwanted childlessness. The music progresses from anger and frustration in the first movement, De profundis , to a dreamlike state in the second movement, Alcheringa* , where glimpses of hope emerge, only to disappear again. In the last movement, Ad lucem , the music embarks on a journey, trying to reach the light, reminding of one's need to hold on to hope. Violin Concerto: A Requiem was commissioned by Maria Puusaari and is dedicated to her. The commission was made possible with kind support from Madetoja Foundation and Teosto Commission Fund. *Alcheringa , an Arandic language term, refers to Australian Aboriginal beliefs of Dreaming, Dreamtime, or "Everywhen", a myth of creation and, in a larger context, a concept that embraces past, present and future. Another definition suggests that Dreaming represents how the relationships between people, animals, plants and the land came to be and how they need to be maintained. It is argued that the term itself is based on a misunderstanding or mistranslation, and that the closer meaning of Alcheringa could be "eternal" or "uncreated". < Back to Music

Stay up to date with news about Markku Klami’s music—premieres, recordings, collaborations, awards, and other highlights from his career. News Jun 15, 2026 Markku Klami nominated for Finnish Music Publishers Composer of the Year award Klami's Violin Concerto: A Requiem is nominated in Composer of the Year category for large-scale works Read more May 20, 2026 Markku Klami's into the deep peace released on Audite chamber choir's album Voices of Earth Audite Chamber Choir’s new album Voices of Earth features six environmentally themed works, all commissioned for the choir’s 30th anniversary season. Read more Dec 18, 2025 Mari Mäntylä's album Passing Shadows featuring Markku Klami's Fractured (Memoria II) nominated for Emma Classical Award 2026 Mari Mäntylä’s album Passing Shadows (Alba Records, 2025) has been nominated for the Emma Classical Award 2026—part of the Emma Awards, Finland’s most prestigious annual honours celebrating artistic achievement in recorded music. The album features newly commissioned works, including Markku Klami’s Fractured (Memoria II). Read more Nov 14, 2025 Maria Puusaari and Tampere Philharmonic to premiere Markku Klami's Violin Concerto Markku Klami’s Violin Concerto: A Requiem receives its world premiere at the Tampere Biennale, performed by Maria Puusaari and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra under Ruut Kiiski’s baton Read more Jun 10, 2025 Markku Klami's Fractured (Memoria II) released on Mari Mäntylä’s album Passing Shadows Featuring contemporary works for decacorde, the album is out now on Alba Records and includes new music by Tõnu Kõrvits, Markku Klami, René Eespere, Charlotte Bray, Juan Antonio Muro, Mari Sainio, Pekka Jalkanen — and Mari Mäntylä herself. Read more Mar 30, 2025 FMQ publishes Markku Klami's column on the significance of arts and culture for humanity In this deeply personal column, Markku Klami reflects on how music became his survival strategy, why composing remains his greatest calling, and how culture can give us a reason to live. Read more Jan 28, 2025 World premiere of Markku Klami's Fractured (Memoria II) given by decacordist Mari Mäntylä Mari Mäntylä, the leading Finnish decacordist, will give the world premiere performance of Markku Klami's recent work, Fractured (Memoria II), at Kuhmo Arts Centre's Lentua hall in Kuhmo on January 30, 2025. Read more Jul 21, 2024 Lauri Sallinen premieres Markku Klami's Ambience I: Burning at Meidän Festivaali Lauri Sallinen, one of the most in demand Finnish clarinetists, will give the world premiere performance of Markku Klami's recent work, Ambience I: Burning, at Meidän Festivaali in Järvenpää on July 29, 2024. Read more Nov 22, 2023 Markku Klami's Elegia featured at ISCM World New Music Days in South Africa Markku Klami's song cycle Elegia, to the poems by Katja Klami, will be featured at the International Society for Contemporary Music World New Music Days Festival in South Africa Read more Feb 5, 2023 Audite tours with Markku Klami’s into the deep peace In the spring of 2023, Audite chamber choir tours with their 30th anniversary tour Voices of Earth, featuring Markku Klami’s into the deep peace (2021), set to the texts by John Muir. Read more Jan 22, 2023 Patrik Kleemola tours with Markku Klami's Etudes in Finland and Germany Patrik Kleemola gives the concert world premiere of Markku Klami's entire Etudes cycle at the opening concert of Sibelius Academy's International Guitar Pedagogy Conference on February 3, 2023 at the Organo hall of the Helsinki Music Centre. Read more Aug 11, 2022 Announcing 2022-2023 season highlights Markku Klami's vocal and instrumental music will be heard on several occasions during the 2022-2023 season. Read more Jun 4, 2022 Markku Klami's Elegia nominated to the 68th International Rostrum of Composers The Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) recently nominated Markku Klami's Elegia to the poems by Katja Klami to this year’s International Rostrum of Composers, organized by the International Music Council. Read more Mar 29, 2022 TampereRaw to premiere Markku Klami's Elegia at Tampere Biennale Festival A new work for soprano and Pierrot ensemble, titled Elegia (Elegy) by Markku Klami will be premiered by soprano Tuiki Järvensivu and TampereRaw, a Tampere-based ensemble of contemporary music, at Tampere Biennale Festival on April 7, 2022. Read more Nov 26, 2021 Edition Wilhelm Hansen publishes Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar The biggest music publisher in Scandinavia, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, has published Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar. Read more Sep 24, 2021 Patrik Kleemola gives the YouTube premiere of Klami's Etudes for guitar A 10-week release event of Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar (2021) begins on Monday, September 27, 2021 and will run until Monday, November 29, 2021 on Patrik Kleemola's YouTube channel. Read more Sep 10, 2021 September premieres with Lauri Sallinen & Seinäjoki City Orchestra and Patrik Kleemola Lauri Sallinen premieres Markku Klami's Clair for clarinet and large ensemble with the Seinäjoki City Orchestra on September 16, 2021. Patrik Kleemola releases weekly premieres of Klami's Etudes for guitar on his YouTube channel on Mondays from September 27 until November 29, 2021. Rondo Classic interviewed Klami for their September 2021 issue of the magazine. Read more Mar 8, 2021 Markku Klami’s FUME selected to the finals in Kaleidoscope’s 2020 Call for Scores in Los Angeles Los Angeles based orchestra Kaleidoscope received almost 8000 applications from composers in 86 countries in their 2020 Call for Scores. 189 works by 172 composers were selected to the final round, including Markku Klami’s clarinet concerto FUME. Read more Dec 18, 2020 verweilen released on streaming platforms verweilen, an ambient soundscape inspired by the coronavirus pandemic has just been released on various streaming platforms. Read more Nov 3, 2020 Patrik Kleemola to premiere Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar Four etudes, titled ”Memoria”, ”Agitato nervosamente”, ”Nocturno” and ”Stream” from Markku Klami’s upcoming Etudes for guitar collection will get their world premiere by Finnish guitarist Patrik Kleemola in his recital on November 11, 2020 at the Sibelius museum in Turku, Finland. Read more Aug 18, 2020 Markku Klami makes his New York debut with ensemble mise-en The New York-based ensemble mise-en will arrange their annual MISE-EN MUSIC FESTIVAL in Brooklyn, New York on August 17-20, 2020. The festival program features Markku Klami's "aura" for alto flute and electronics. Read more Jul 14, 2020 Thoughts on truth – Göreme Echoes featured at FBC's The Finnish Music of Our Time series Markku Klami's Göreme Echoes featured in Aikamme suomalaista musiikkia (The Finnish Music of Our Time) on Finnish Broadcasting Company Read more Oct 23, 2019 Clair sketches selected as a finalist in Kaleidoscope's 2019 Call for Scores in Los Angeles Markku Klami's Clair sketches for clarinet, bandoneón and string quartet has been selected as one of the finalists in Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra's 2019 Call for Scores. Kaleidoscope received over 2200 entries from composers from 90 countries around the world in their recent Call for scores for their upcoming 6th concert season in 2019-2020. Read more Feb 25, 2019 Victory over violence – Why I became a composer and the story behind composing Göreme Markku Klami's Göreme released on streaming platforms Read more Dec 18, 2018 Göreme Echoes released on Spotify and other streaming platforms Markku Klami's Göreme Echoes released on streaming platforms Read more Oct 12, 2018 Cooperation with clarinetist Lucy Abrams Lucy Abrams performs Markku Klami's TWIRL in Lithuania and Finland Read more Sep 29, 2018 World premiere of Karui at Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu Festival Markku Klami's Karui premiered at Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu Festival in Oulu Read more Mar 6, 2018 The first ever large-scale puppet opera in the Nordic countries premieres on March 9, 2018 The puppet opera "Croak – Or The Unexpected Joys And Perils of Singing" will premiere at Pori Opera on March 9, 2018 Read more

Browse Markku Klami’s complete catalogue—from solo to orchestral, vocal to electronic. Discover detailed information, score availability, recordings, composer’s notes, reviews, and interviews related to each work. Music Browse by ensemble Chamber music Electro-acoustic Electronics Opera Orchestra Orchestra / ensemble with soloist Solo Vocal / choral Browse by ensemble Butterfly String quartet (young players) Fractured (Memoria II) Decacorde Ambience I: Burning Clarinet and electronics Violin Concerto: A Requiem Violin and orchestra Elegia Soprano and ensemble into the deep peace Mixed choir Etudes Guitar Clair II Clarinet and large ensemble verweilen Soundtrack Colori Violin Voyage Flute, clarinet and guitar Karui Quartertone clarinet and quartertone accordion Croak Opera: 5 soloists, choir and orchestra Clair Clarinet, bandoneón and string quartet Värein Piano, 4 percussionists and string orchestra (young players) afore Piano aava Guitar and electronics karu Guitar trio ripples Piano Clair sketches Clarinet, bandoneón and string quartet REPEAT Flute, electronics and video red moon String quartet ...and there's always music in the air." Flute and string quartet Tulevaisuuden retki Children's opera: 2 soloists, reciter, ensemble Oi surkaa Mixed choir or vocal ensemble