Search

Dive into the world of composer Markku Klami with an in-depth biography, musical insights, career highlights, and press resources. Biography Artistic focus Timeline Biography In English Markku Klami is a Finnish composer whose music has been described as delicate, elegant, fragile, and powerful—evoking strong emotional responses. Klami draws inspiration for his compositions from nature and urban environments alike, aiming to offer listeners a moment of peace amid an increasingly fast-paced world. Through his works, Klami seeks to highlight the mysteries of human existence—its questions, fates, and fragile journeys—while giving voice to the profound presence of nature. His music pays tribute to the majesty of the natural world, a force before which humanity appears small and fleeting. Klami's music has been performed across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa at festivals such as ISCM World New Music Days, International Rostrum of Composers, MISE-EN MUSIC, Nordic Music Days, Musica nova Helsinki, Turku Music Festival, Tampere Biennale, Atlantic Music Festival, Zagreb Music Biennale, and Taiwan International Guitar Festival. Born in Turku in 1979, Klami’s musical path began in childhood through piano and violin studies and a decade-long membership in Chorus Cathedralis Iuniorum, the boys’ choir of Turku Cathedral. These formative years, along with early explorations in electronic music, laid the groundwork for a diverse output that includes solo, chamber, and orchestral works—often blending acoustic instruments with electronics—as well as vocal music and two operas. A classically trained composer, Klami studied at the Turku Music Academy and the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Tuomo Teirilä and Tapio Tuomela, respectively. In recent years, he has also returned to his roots in electronic music through ambient releases alongside his concert music. Since 2021, a selection of Klami’s works have been published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen (Wise Music Classical Group). His work has been supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Sibelius Fund, the Madetoja Foundation, the Teosto Cultural Foundation, and the Teosto Commission Fund. Klami lives and thinks of music in Helsinki, drawing creative energy from both urban environments and the nature—particularly the seashores, forests, and open landscapes that offer him a vital balance in today’s fast-paced world. Artistic focus See the Timeline for more Media Kit Suomeksi Markku Klamin musiikkia on luonnehdittu herkäksi, elegantiksi, intensiiviseksi ja vahvoja tunne-elämyksiä herättäväksi. Klami ammentaa inspiraatiota teoksiinsa usein luonnosta ja toisaalta myös urbaaneista ympäristöistä, pyrkien tarjoamaan kuulijalle hetken hengähdystauon alati ylikierroksilla käyvästä maailmastamme. Teostensa kautta Klami pyrkii myös nostamaan esiin ihmiselämän suuria kysymyksiä sekä antamaan äänen luonnon ikuiselle läsnäololle. Hän kunnioittaa luonnon suuruutta, jonka rinnalla ihmiselämä näyttäytyy pienenä ja katoavaisena. Klamin musiikkia on esitetty eri puolilla Eurooppaa, Pohjois- ja Etelä-Amerikkaa, Aasiaa ja Afrikkaa festivaaleilla kuten ISCM World New Music Days, International Rostrum of Composers, MISE-EN MUSIC, Nordic Music Days, Musica nova Helsinki, Turun Musiikkijuhlat, Tampere Biennale, Atlantic Music Festival, Zagreb Music Biennale ja Taiwan International Guitar Festival. Turussa vuonna 1979 syntyneen Klamin musiikillinen polku alkoi jo varhain pianon- ja viulunsoiton opinnoilla sekä kymmenvuotisella taipaleella Turun tuomiokirkon poikakuorossa Chorus Cathedralis Iuniorumissa. Näiden vuosien aikana syntynyt kiinnostus sekä akustiseen että elektroniseen musiikkiin on sittemmin johtanut monipuoliseen tuotantoon, johon kuuluu soolo-, kamari- ja orkesteriteoksia, usein akustisia soittimia ja elektroniikkaa yhdisteleviä sävellyksiä, vokaalimusiikkia sekä kaksi oopperaa. Klami opiskeli sävellystä Turun ammattikorkeakoulun Musiikkiakatemiassa Tuomo Teirilän ja Sibelius-Akatemiassa Tapio Tuomelan johdolla. Viime vuosina hän on palannut konserttimusiikin säveltämisen ohella myös juurilleen elektronisen musiikin pariin. Klamin teoksia on vuodesta 2021 alkaen julkaissut Edition Wilhelm Hansen (Wise Music Classical Group). Hänen työtään säveltäjänä ovat tukeneet muun muassa Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, Taiteen Edistämiskeskus, Jenny ja Antti Wihurin rahasto, Sibelius-rahasto, Madetoja-säätiö, Teoston kulttuurisäätiö sekä Teoston Sävellystilaustoimikunta. Nykyisin Helsingissä asuva Klami inspiroituu sekä urbaaneista ympäristöistä että luonnosta – erityisesti merenrannoista, metsistä ja avarista maisemista, jotka tarjoavat hänelle tärkeän vastapainon nykypäivän keskeytyksiä ja häiriöitä täynnä olevassa arkielämässämme. Artistic focus Concert music Markku Klami’s concert works span a wide range of forces—from intimate solo pieces and chamber music to orchestral works, concertos, vocal music, and even opera. While each composition is shaped by its unique context, Klami’s artistic voice is unified by a search for calm, timelessness, and sensitivity of sound. His music often dwells in delicate textures and quiet spaces, inviting the listener into a world that is both reflective and emotionally resonant. At times, he expands his sonic palette through the use of electronics, subtly blending acoustic and electronic elements into cohesive soundscapes. Discover more Electronic music In his electronic music, Markku Klami explores the ambient genre through immersive, slowly evolving soundscapes. These works offer a space for stillness and contemplation—sonic environments that unfold gradually, inviting the listener to settle into their depths. Whether experienced on their own or in dialogue with acoustic instruments, Klami’s electronic pieces reflect his ongoing interest in nuance, atmosphere, and the quiet power of sound. They are not so much narratives as they are places—audio landscapes in which time seems to stretch, soften, and dissolve. Timeline Highlights 1970s February 21, 1979. Born in Turku, Finland. 1980s Markku Klami’s interest in music sparked at an early age during the 1980s, a decade that marked the very beginning of his artistic path. In the mid and late 1980s, Klami began taking private piano lessons, followed by violin studies. These early instrumental lessons provided him with his first experiences in musicianship and laid the foundation for his later explorations in composition. Show more 1990s Klami’s musical journey began in early childhood and deepened significantly throughout the 1990s, a formative decade that laid the groundwork for his later work as a composer. In the early 1990s, Klami continued his violin studies under Kai Vilevaara , developing a strong classical foundation. He also gained early performance experience as a member of Chorus Cathedralis Iuniorum, with international tours to Sweden (1990) and England (1992). Show More 2000s During the 2000s, Klami transitioned from electronic music performance to a focused pursuit of his own compositional voice. He began his academic journey with studies in musicology at the University of Turku and later deepened his musical expertise at the Turku University of Applied Sciences, where he majored in music theory and composition with Tuomo Teirilä , and studied classical guitar with Timo Korhonen and Ismo Eskelinen . He also began teaching music theory at the Turku Conservatory of Music in 2001, marking the beginning of a long-standing parallel career in music education. Klami’s compositional career gained momentum with the 2002 premiere of Colours in Blue by guitarist Patrik Kleemola , sparking a long and fruitful collaboration with Kleemola that resulted in multiple guitar works performed internationally, both by Kleemola and other guitarists. His orchestral debut Flow won the Finnish Polytechnic Orchestra's national composition competition in 2004, leading to several performances with the orchestra and conductor Atso Almila on their concert tour in Finland and Slovakia. Show More 2010s The 2010s marked a period of broad international recognition and artistic diversification for Klami. His music was performed across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, while his creative range expanded to include vocal works, electroacoustic pieces, and opera. Klami began the decade with a series of high-profile premieres, including night signal for male choir, commissioned by the Polytech Choir, and FUME , a clarinet concerto premiered by Lauri Sallinen and Avanti! at the Ung Nordisk Music Festival. He completed his Master of Music in Composition at the Sibelius Academy in 2010, and shortly thereafter, his children’s opera Tulevaisuuden retki was premiered at the Turku Music Festival as part of the official European Capital of Culture 2011 program—one of several commissions tied to this significant cultural year. Show More 2020s Klami’s work in the 2020s has been marked by growing international recognition, high-profile festival appearances, and a steady stream of commissions and premieres. His music has reached new audiences across Europe, North America, Africa, and Asia, while continuing to engage Finnish listeners through performances, recordings, and broadcast media. In July 2020, Göreme Echoes was featured on Yle Radio 1’s (Finnish Broadcasting Company) Finnish Music of Our Times series, followed in August by Klami’s New York debut at the MISE-EN_MUSIC FESTIVAL with aura , performed by Kelley Barnett and the mise-en ensemble. The following month, he premiered the sound installation verweilen in Tübingen, Germany, which was released digitally in December. November 2020 saw the premiere of the first four movements of Etudes , performed by Patrik Kleemola at the Sibelius Museum in Turku. Show More

Dive into the world of composer Markku Klami with an in-depth biography, musical insights, career highlights, and press resources. Press Media Kit Press "Klami’s expressive and at times breathtakingly beautiful musical language left a thoroughly personal impression." Mats Liljeroos, Hufvudstadsbladet "The character of Klami's song cycle Elegia is balanced and bears a close relationship between the poems and music. At the end of the second song, the soprano solo takes on a depth of sacred music." Harri Hautala, Aamulehti "Klami writes rather delicate music that makes me think of Japan." Timo Korhonen, guitarist " Ambience I: Burning weaves its mesmerizing clarinet material together with ambient soundtrack of pre-recorded tapestries, coming up with an instantly appealing synthesis of texture and color. Accessible in the best sense of the word, the score is far from mere sonic backdrop, thanks to its nuanced construction and intriguing harmonic layout. One looks forward to Klami’s next installments in the series with eager joy." Jari Kallio, Adventures in Music "The scarce gestures in Klami's aava created imaginative electric soundscapes." Jukka Isopuro, Helsingin Sanomat " into the deep peace took off as if from thin, quivering air and the landscape was calmly built both horizontally and vertically – I saw both mountains and the horizon and mighty trees in front of me. The upper notes conjured up the night sky and the beautiful, stable fifths created the impression of peace." Tove Djupsjöbacka, Kuoromusiikin Kausikonsertit "Klami does not use any text in his night signal . The succinct, clear and captivating miniature replaces words with vocal variations and changing overtones." Lauri Kilpiö, Suomen Kuvalehti "Markku Klami's Elegia to the poems by Katja Klami is a beautiful union of music and lyrics. Klami doesn't use very modernist techniques, which gives the text a lot of room. The textures are harmonious and full-bodied. Katja Klami's strong, expressive poems are timeless and topical, even heartbreaking." Kikka Holmberg, Kulttuuritoimitus Media Kit Photos Full biography Biography in English Biografia suomeksi

Website of Markku Klami, Finnish composer of concert and electronic music. Welcome Intro Watch & listen Out now on Alba Records! Emotive. Elegant. Unpredictable. From cathedral choirs to ambient electronics and vivid orchestral textures, Finnish composer Markku Klami’s music bridges tradition and innovation—heard worldwide from New York to Taipei. His music embraces texture, silence, and emotional intensity, often blending acoustic instruments with electronics. Rooted in classical training and shaped by curiosity, his voice as a composer is both personal and quietly bold. Discover more Watch & listen Play Video Play Video 03:07 Night signal Provided to YouTube by Playground Music Scandinavia AB Night signal · Polyteknikkojen Kuoro Kuunteletko Sinä ℗ Polyteknikkojen Kuoron musiikkikustannus Oy Released on: 2013-05-24 Artist: Polyteknikkojen Kuoro Composer: Markku Klami Music Publisher: Manus Auto-generated by YouTube. Play Video Play Video 12:38 Markku Klami: Clair sketches for clarinet, bandoneon and string quartet Markku Klami: Clair sketches for clarinet, bandoneon and string quartet Lauri Sallinen, clarinet Henrik Sandås, bandoneon Pasi Eerikäinen, violin Annemarie Åström, violin Jussi Tuhkanen, viola Markus Hohti, cello Recorded live on the 8th of May 2012 at the Camerata Hall, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki Music Centre, Finland Play Video Play Video 08:47 Markku Klami | Etude No. 6 ’Puro (Stream)’ Patrik Kleemola plays YouTube premiere of Markku Klami’s Etude No. 6 ’Puro (Stream)’, from Etudes for guitar (2021). Welcome to follow the YouTube premiere of Markku Klami’s Etudes for guitar on Mondays, beginning on September 27 and continuing every Monday until November 29, 2021. Every video contains a discussion with Markku Klami and Patrik Kleemola at the end of the video. Join in by subscribing to the channel and hit the bell icon to keep updated! Sheet music for Klami’s Etudes is available from Edition Wilhelm Hansen (part of Wise Music Classical): https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/61914/Etudes--Markku-Klami/ In ’Puro’, the focus is on a continuous stream of rapid four-note arpeggios, using the classic p-i-m-a right-hand fingering, occasionally expanded further to five-note arpeggios by the use of a hammering left-hand legato. For classical guitarists, the p-i-m-a fingering is one of the most common fingerings for an arpeggio, but is often tricky at first and requires intense practice before becoming perhaps the most natural of all arpeggio techniques. This etude is a great workout for this technique. Students can practice this etude at a tempo suitable for their current technical level. The goal is to develop the p-i-m-a arpeggio until it can be executed very quickly (while musical changes from one repeating bar to the next are still very gradual). While practising, one might imagine a small stream that keeps moving forward infinitely. Patrik Kleemola’s website: https://www.patrikkleemola.com Markku Klami’s website: https://www.markkuklami.com --------- Guitar: Brian Cohen (2003) Microphones: Stereo pair of DPA 4011a Cardioid microphones Audio interface: Prism Sound Atlas Videocameras: Canon EOS 200D www.facebook.com/KleemolaGuitar Play Video Play Video 07:04 Verweilen Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Verweilen · Markku Klami Verweilen ℗ 2020 Markku Klami Released on: 2020-12-18 Auto-generated by YouTube. Play Video Play Video 08:50 Markku Klami | Etude No. 10 ’Roihu (Blaze)’ Patrik Kleemola plays YouTube premiere of Markku Klami’s Etude No. 10 ’Roihu (Blaze)’ , the last etude from Etudes for guitar (2021). Welcome to follow the YouTube premiere of Markku Klami’s Etudes for guitar on Mondays, beginning on September 27 and continuing every Monday until November 29, 2021. Every video contains a discussion with Markku Klami and Patrik Kleemola at the end of the video. Join in by subscribing to the channel and hit the bell icon to keep updated! Sheet music for Klami’s Etudes is available from Edition Wilhelm Hansen (part of Wise Music Classical): https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/61914/Etudes--Markku-Klami/ Roihu begins with sonorous dreamlike sections only to develop into a furious and technically demanding finale to the Etudes. At times, the hectic pace is reduced in calmer passages, only to speed up again, leading to a crackling climax at the end of the piece. The use of very fast scales, tremolos, traditional arpeggios and one-finger arpeggios results in kaleidoscopic textures placing the highest technical demands on the guitarist. Patrik Kleemola’s website: https://www.patrikkleemola.com Markku Klami’s website: https://www.markkuklami.com Discover more