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Lauri Sallinen premieres Markku Klami's Ambience I: Burning at Meidän Festivaali Jul 21, 2024 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. 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. Ambience I: Burning for clarinet and fixed electronics is the first piece in series of works by Klami, written for solo instrument and electronics. The series, carrying a main title "Ambience", refer to Klami's roots in composing electronic music in his teens in late 1990's, and his affection to ambient music. As the title suggests, Ambience I: Burning is inspired by the concept of burning. Although burning may lead one's thoughts to fire and its destructive power, Klami's work aims to bring out burning as an event that creates new growth. The increased number of forest fires in recent years is a reminder of man's impact on his environment. At the same time, however, forest fires are a means of survival for various tree species, such as Giant sequoias growing in the Sierra Mountains of California. Ambience I: Burning proceeds from the terrifying destructive power of fire towards the birth of something new and beautiful. Ambience I: Burning was commissioned by Lauri Sallinen, and is dedicated to him. The commission was made possible with the support from the Sibelius Fund. < Back to News

Maria Puusaari and Tampere Philharmonic to premiere Markku Klami's Violin Concerto Nov 14, 2025 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 Maria Puusaari, photographed by Touko Hujanen The world premiere of Markku Klami’s Violin Concerto: A Requiem will take place on April 17, 2026, at Tampere Hall’s Main Auditorium. The work will be performed by violinist Maria Puusaari and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra , conducted by Ruut Kiiski . The concert is part of the Tampere Philharmonic’s 2025–2026 season and is presented in collaboration with the Tampere Biennale festival, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. Ruut Kiiski, photographed by Ville Hautakangas Published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen , Klami's Violin Concerto: A Requiem is described by the Tampere Philharmonic as follows: “Markku Klami’s moving Requiem is more than a violin concerto – it’s a personal work of mourning and a haven of hope; a mass for a life that never began.” < Back to News

Cooperation with clarinetist Lucy Abrams Oct 12, 2018 Lucy Abrams performs Markku Klami's TWIRL in Lithuania and Finland Last spring I was delighted to receive an e-mail from clarinetist Lucy Abrams about her plans for her upcoming postgraduate recital at Sibelius Academy of University of Arts in Helsinki. As a part of her recital program she will perform my solo clarinet piece TWIRL alongside other clarinet pieces by Finnish and American composers. Last June Lucy interviewed me for her artistic research and we ended up discussing a variety of subjects on music and also the piece in question, TWIRL. We rehearsed the piece in August, after which Lucy performed TWIRL as a part of her lecture recital at Doctors in Performance Conference at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, in Vilnius, Lithuania in September. During October and November Lucy will again perform TWIRL, first in Kerava and then in her first postgraduate recital at Helsinki Music Centre in November. For a composer, working with musicians is a vital part of our profession – I would even argue it’s one of the cornerstones of our existence. I’m delighted to have my music performed by stellar musicians such as Lucy. Looking forward to the upcoming performances! If you are around Helsinki on November 13, feel free to attend her concert! Be sure to check these links as well: Our interview from June 2018 Lucy’s lecture at Doctors in Performance Conference < Back to News

Markku Klami makes his New York debut with ensemble mise-en Aug 18, 2020 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. The New York-based contemporary music group ensemble mise-en will arrange their annual MISE-EN MUSIC FESTIVAL at MISE-EN_PLACE in Brooklyn, New York from August 17 to August 20, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival will have its concerts streamed live on YouTube. Each year, the festival program is carefully selected through the group’s annual Call for Scores, targeted to composers of contemporary music around the world. For their festival year 2020, ensemble mise-en selected Markku Klami’s aura for alto flute and electronics, among works by Ted Moore , Alessandro Massobrio , Seán Ó Dálaigh , Epa Fassianos , Jee Seo , Bradley Green , Rodrigo Cadiz , Angeles Rojas and Nicola Fumo Frattegiani . Kelley Barnett , the flutist of the ensemble will perform Klami’s aura on Thursday, August 20 concert at 2.30pm Eastern Time (ET). The concert marks the US premiere of Klami’s aura. The live stream of the concert on YouTube can be found here . Rehearsing via Zoom video call with Kelley Barnett for the upcoming US premiere of aura. As it is stated on their website, ensemble mise-en is a New York-based contemporary music collective led by composer Moon Young Ha . Comprised of talented young musicians, our personnel strive to bring a repertoire of challenging new sounds to diverse audiences. We wish to impart an experience that is simultaneously multicultural and intellectually and aesthetically pleasing. As a collective, the multinational personnel has coalesced around a real aesthetic agenda, crystallized in the name “mise-en”: “mee,” in Korean, means “beauty,” and “zahn,” “to decorate,” and the group unabashedly promotes “beautiful” artwork to increasingly diverse audiences of contemporary sounds. The ensemble promotes large-scale, dynamic performances of contemporary music featuring the works of established and budding composers. Since its inception in 2011, ensemble mise-en has collaborated with such esteemed partners as Washington Square Contemporary Music Society, International Alliance for Women in Music, Austrian Cultural Forum New York, Open Meadows Foundation, New York University, New York Foundation for the Arts, I-Park, Goethe-Institute Boston, Villa Gillet (FR) and others. To date, the ensemble has presented a total of 281 pieces, including 114 works written for the group, and 86 US/NY premieres. The ensemble has performed at exciting venues such as (le) poisson rouge, Bohemian National Hall, Italian Academy, the DiMenna Center, Tenri Cultural Institute and the cell. YouTube links for the concerts: MISE-EN FESTIVAL 2020, Concert I , Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 2.30pm ET MISE-EN FESTIVAL 2020, Concert II , Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 2.30pm ET < Back to News

Thoughts on truth – Göreme Echoes featured at FBC's The Finnish Music of Our Time series Jul 14, 2020 Markku Klami's Göreme Echoes featured in Aikamme suomalaista musiikkia (The Finnish Music of Our Time) on Finnish Broadcasting Company Markku Klami's Göreme Echoes featured in Aikamme suomalaista musiikkia (The Finnish Music of Our Time) on Finnish Broadcasting Company. The program (in Finnish) can be streamed on Yle Areena until July 14, 2021. The program also includes Pekka Jalkanen's captivating and impressive choir piece Deesis , finely performed by Krysostomos Chamber Choir and their conductor Mikko Sidoroff . Below are some thoughts that have long influenced my compositional work. I see these topics as some of the timeless questions of humanity. They also served as a source of inspiration to me when I was composing Göreme Echoes. Different perceptions and views of truth (and — if I may say so — the certainty of the excellence and correctness of one's own view in relation to other views) have, in my view, always played an important role in conflicts between individuals and communities. In the view of a cultural context, I am inclined to think that every culture, ranging from individuals to bigger communities, have their own idea and understanding of truth. In this respect, it could be argued that every culture, and within it, every individual and the wider community, owns their own truths. This intellectual property is understandably perceived as an important part of identity and therefore as a heritage worth cherishing and something that is to be defended and protected. Throughout history, conflicting views on truth have led to a variety of conflicts, from brawls between individuals to political turmoil, violence, oppression, and even wars. These have been of interest to me for a very long time, and I think that these timeless questions have once again proved to be very topical as I follow the world events today. The discussion on many issues has culminated in a highly polarized debate in which the conflicting parties are not always even willing to listen to each other. In this case, it is no longer a matter of open debate, but of fighting for the excellence and legitimacy of one's own opinions and values in relation to the “wrong” opinions and values of others. The more one learns about the history of mankind, the more events and periods of time similar to the current world situation can be found, regardless of cultures, geographical locations, and period of time. It would seem that we are in an endless motion between different extremes. However, our current way of conversation, most notably on social media is marked by a considerable amount of debate withering away in defense of one’s own opinion and, sadly, often a very limited point of view. At worst cases, this keeps going on, regardless of the facts related to the original topic of discussion. Indeed, the debate on social media often seems like a series of rapid spinal cord reactions, in which the original topic very soon disappears into the background, sometimes even vanishing away. For some, it also seems necessary to be right and defend certain opinions an views as the only truths. This exponentially increases the likelihood of all kinds of conflicts. Sure, these thoughts and observations are not unique and new. Inspired by these thoughts and reflections, I composed Göreme for guitar and electronics, as well as its sibling, an electronic soundscape Göreme Echoes, in which I partly utilized the material of Göreme. The compositional processes of these two works have also been a part of my own healing process and steps on my path to a better future. My personal, practically lifelong experiences of physical, mental, and structural violence, not forgetting discrimination, surely have led me to ponder these topics and issues. In music and composing I have found a reason and strength to be able to go forward, even when in the whole world (or, my very limited views and experiences of the world around me) I have not seen reasons to continue my own existence. It may well be that these things can be heard in one way or another in my music. I know my experiences are not unique. They are true for far too many people regardless of any human quality. Still, many of these truths do not come to light and won’t be heard even today. I have also noticed that the hardships I experienced were not recognized at the time when they happened. Even today, they sometimes are not among the topics which get publicly discussed, nor their existence would be recognized. The eternal, timeless turbulence and turmoil seems to continue further. Perhaps timelessness is always topical. < Back to News

Edition Wilhelm Hansen publishes Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar Nov 26, 2021 The biggest music publisher in Scandinavia, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, has published Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar. The biggest music publisher in Scandinavia, Edition Wilhelm Hansen , has published Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar. Written for guitarist Patrik Kleemola with support from The Finnish Cultural Foundation and The Arts Promotion Centre Finland , Etudes have sparked interest around the world with the 10-week YouTube release cycle of the work on Kleemola's YouTube channel from September 27 until November 29, 2021. Markku Klami: Etudes, performed by Patrik Kleemola In his recent Adventures in Music blog article on Etudes , music journalist Jari Kallio writes: "Within the realm of contemporary music for guitar, there’s a fascinating new score in town, namely a cycle of ten Etudes (2021) by Markku Klami , written for the Finnish guitarist Patrik Kleemola ... [--] In musical terms, the Etudes seek to portray a series of moods and vistas often rooted in various natural phenomena, while maintaining their pedagogical goals. As a result, the cycle contains marvellously evocative musical settings, ideally suited for concert performances. [--] "As a whole, the Etudes constitutes an inspiring and insightful cycle of musical tableaux, delightfully adding up to the repertoire, in terms of pedagogue as well as concert programming. The ten-piece set brings together several stylistic layers, reworked into a logical musical continuum of evocation and reflection." Sheet music for Etudes is available on major online sheet music shops including MusicShopEurope in the EU, MusicRoom in the UK and SheetMusicPlus in the USA as well as local music shops. < Back to News

Markku Klami's Elegia nominated to the 68th International Rostrum of Composers Jun 4, 2022 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. 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 . The Rostrum was held in Palermo, Italy from May 31 until June 3, 2022. Markku Klami represented contemporary Finnish music together with his colleague Jarkko Hartikainen in this year's Rostrum. The subjects of the Katja Klami's poems focus on human destinies, especially resignation and loss. The three poems, ”Minä kuvittelin sinulle elämän” (I imagined a life for you), ”Hiipuen” (Fading) and ”Palava maa” (The burning earth) , focus on unwanted infertility, the caregiver experiences of memory-impaired patients, and human actions resulting in climate change and global conflicts. The titles of the poems are echoed in the titles of Elegia's three movements. Elegia , performed by soprano Tuiki Järvensivu and TampereRaw ensemble, was recorded by the Finnish Broadcasting Company in connection with the premiere performance of the work at the Tampere Biennale festival in April. Elegia was commissioned by Tampere Biennale and written with support from The Arts Promotion Centre Finland and The Sibelius Fund. < Back to News

Markku Klami's Elegia featured at ISCM World New Music Days in South Africa Nov 22, 2023 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 Markku Klami's song cycle Elegia , to the poems by Katja Klami , will be featured at the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM) World New Music Days Festival in South Africa. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of World New Music Days Festival, the festival is organized by ISCM and NewMusicSA society, marking the first time the festival is taking place on African continent. Klami's Elegia was selected to the festival program through the annual official call for works organized by the ISCM. The work will be performed at Youngblood Gallery in Cape Town on December 1, 2023 by Stefanie Knorr , soprano, Roberto Casado , flute, Danielle Rossouw , clarinet, Nina Schumann , piano, David Bester , violin, Aristide du Plessis , cello, and conductor Chad Hendricks . Elegia was commissioned by Tampere Biennale Festival 2022 and received its first performance in the festival by soprano Tuiki Järvensivu and TampereRaw Ensemble . Tuiki Järvensivu has given following performances of Elegia with Tampering Ensemble and TampereRaw in Tampering Festival and Sibelius Music Days Festival in 2022. Soprano Tuiki Järvensivu performing Markku Klami's Elegia with TampereRaw Ensemble at Tampere Biennale Festival 2022 < Back to News

The first ever large-scale puppet opera in the Nordic countries premieres on March 9, 2018 Mar 6, 2018 The puppet opera "Croak – Or The Unexpected Joys And Perils of Singing" will premiere at Pori Opera on March 9, 2018 The opera Croak – Or The Unexpected Joys And Perils of Singing will premiere at Promenadi Hall in Pori on Friday 9th of March 2018 The opera was written by composers Markku Klami and Maria Kallionpää , and the Pori Sinfonietta orchestra will be led by conductor Nils Schweckendiek . All in all, five soloists, seven puppeteers and thirty puppets along with the Pori Opera Choir will take to the stage during the shows. Croak is a tragic musical fantasy about love, the gift of song, and about the responsibility brought on by talent. Mikhail Brashinsky’s libretto draws its inspiration from the wisdom of classic fairytales. Croak is directed by Anna Ivanova-Brashinskaya , who has worked extensively both as a director and a teacher to promote the art of puppeteering in Finland. The puppets, costumes and the set are designed by Viktor Antonov . The composers Markku Klami and Maria Kallionpää , director Anna Ivanova-Brashinskaya and conductor Nils Schweckendiek were all intrigued by the many layers concealed within the realm of the puppet opera. When working on the score, the composers considered the unique voice qualities of all the soloist, and the musical landscape and the set visuals were created in close interaction with all the artists. In the rehearsals earlier this year, there was a palpable spirit of enthusiasm and curiosity, which came in handy resolving the surprises of the cross-disciplinary collaboration. Croak is set to renew both the opera tradition and the art of puppeteering. The music, the visuals and the choreography have all been made for a contemporary audience. The dialogue between the art forms brings fresh and expressive perspective to the ancient theme of longing for love. The Croak soloists are soprano Anna-Kristiina Kaappola , tenor Joonas Eloranta , countertenor Teppo Lampela , mezzosoprano Merja Mäkelä , and bass-baritone Jouni Kokora . The puppeteers on stage are Johanna Kultala , Maria-Elina Koivula , Anna Nekrassova , Jenni Rutanen , Riina Tikkanen , Lotta Virtanen , and Paula Vilmi . The assistant diretor is Roosa Halme , and the opera was choreographed by Tatiana Gordeeva . The rehearsals of the Pori Opera Choir were led by Ognian Vassilev . The Croak Opera is produced in cooperation with the Pori Opera and the Mixed-Art Association Poike, with Heli Latvala and Tuuli Penttinen-Lampisuo as executive producers. Croak on Facebook Croak on Instagram < Back to News

verweilen released on streaming platforms Dec 18, 2020 verweilen, an ambient soundscape inspired by the coronavirus pandemic has just been released on various streaming platforms. verweilen, an ambient soundscape inspired by the coronavirus pandemic has just been released on various streaming platforms The coronavirus pandemic has hit the music life very hard around the world. In March 2020, just in a matter of days, musicians, ensembles, orchestras, choirs and conductors were forced to cancel their performances until further notice. In addition to performing musicians, the lockdowns around the world have affected other personnel in the field of performing arts. The pandemic has also affected composers in fundamental way. For almost a year now, it has been a very rare event for a composer to have the chance to hear their works performed in public. While live streams of performances have been arranged around the world, they tend to have a distancing element to them. The importance of social interaction between people, performers and their audience has proven to be vital. This notion of the human need for social interaction was also recognized by German-based composer Adrian Oswalt . He has launched a sound exhibition project Art has to be contagious , which emphasizes the importance of people being in connection with each other. He has invited composers and musicians around the world to participate in his project, by composing or improvising a new work based on a melody by him. In August 2020, he contacted me and asked if I would have the chance to take part in his project as well. I was immediately interested in this project, where Oswalt's original melody serves as a base for new works and interpretations coming from different places around the world. Even during the lockdown, the modern technology made it possible for different artists to make a connection via Oswalt's melody. With the ongoing threats and fears the coronavirus is causing, I came up with an idea to compose a somewhat dark and somber ambient soundscape, where my interpretation of Oswalt's original melody can be heard in the distant, eerie sounds of a piano. While the lingering soundscapes of verweilen represent the looming threats of the pandemic, I also hope my music gives solace to the listeners. Luckily enough, the first sound installation event of Art has to be contagious including a world premiere of verweilen was succesfully executed in late September 2020 at SWT-Kulturwerk in Tübingen, Germany, before the pandemic again took a quick turn to worse around the world. Now, as I write this in December 2020, the pandemic situation is still very difficult. As there are plans for further sound installation events of Art has to be contagious , the future with the pandemic is still uncertain. Now, with the release of verweilen on streaming platforms, I hope my music keeps establishing connections and perhaps finds new audiences during the difficult time we live in at the moment. Let's stay healthy and safe! < Back to News

Clair sketches selected as a finalist in Kaleidoscope's 2019 Call for Scores in Los Angeles Oct 23, 2019 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. 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. Lauri Sallinen, clarinet, Henrik Sandås, bandoneón, Pasi Eerikäinen, violin, Annemarie Åström, violin, Jussi Tuhkanen, viola and Markus Hohti, cello, giving the world premiere of Clair sketches at Helsinki Music Centre's Camerata hall, May 2012 Kaleidoscope is a Los Angeles -based chamber orchestra working without conductor. As it is stated on their website, their mission is to enrich lives through exhilarating concert experiences, artistic excellence, musician leadership and connecting with the diverse communities of Los Angeles. They envision a world where their commitment to a collaborative artistic process results in profound orchestral performances that inspire people to pursue cooperation and artistry in their own creative, professional and personal lives. I'm so grateful for this fine ensemble to select one of my works in the finals of their Call for scores and wish to congratulate all the other finalists. I'm also very happy to spot a couple of familiar faces in our finalist group. Having been following the great work Kaleidoscope has been doing in the Los Angeles area in recent years, it is a great honor for me to be in the final round for their upcoming concert season. Kaleidoscope will announce their complete 6th concert season soon, so stay tuned for updates! < Back to News

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