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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

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

Patrik Kleemola to premiere Markku Klami's Etudes for guitar Nov 3, 2020 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. Four etudes, titled ”2. Memoria (Remembrance)” , ”4. Agitato nervosamente” , ”5. Nocturno. Väre (Ripple)” and ” 6. Puro (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. Patrik Kleemola playing "Stream" from Etudes for guitar in a sound check for the premiere performance on November 11, 2020. Patrik Kleemola is one of the foremost Finnish classical guitarists. After winning the 2nd Guitaristival Takemitsu International Guitar Competition in Finland 2004 and gaining prizes in other competitions such as Gargnano's International Guitar Competition, his concert career has taken him to London, Buenos Aires, Rome, Dublin, Milan, Athens, Turin, Florence, Tallinn, Oberstdorf, Helsinki and other cities in South America and Europe. He has appeared as soloist on important music festivals such as Bergamo Festival Internazionale della Cultura (Italy), LACCS – concert series at London's Queen Elisabeth Hall, Turku Music Festival (Finland), Tallinn Guitar Festival (Estonia), Nuovi Spazi Musicali (Italy), Festival 5 Giornate (Italy), Limina Festival (Argentina), Feria del Libro (Uruguay), Lidköping Music Festival (Sweden) and Tampere Biennale Finland). Kleemola has performed guitar concertos by Rodrigo, Ponce, Takemitsu, Giuliani, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Vivaldi and Maggio with Orquesta Sinfonica de la Juventud Venezuelana El Sistema, Orchestra I Pomeriggi Musicali, San Remo Symphony Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra and Lecce Symphony Orchestra. Kleemola plays regularly chamber music with various international ensembles and soloists. Kleemola's wide repertoire includes music from the early Italian 16th century to the newest contemporary compositions written for him. Kleemola's intense collaboration with composers has led to over 50 premieres of contemporary works for guitar including concertos, chamber music and solo works. Composers like Ada Gentile, Mikko Heiniö, Markku Klami, Juha T. Koskinen, Paola Livorsi, Marcela Pavia, Harri Suilamo and Harri Vuori have composed and dedicated their works to him. Kleemola has released two CDs by Pilfink records: Perchitarrasola (2012) and Through Green Glass (2015). The CDs consist of music written for Kleemola by Finnish and Italian composers. Other CD recordings include Kleemola's arrangement of Franz Schubert's Die schöne Müllerin for guitar and tenor. Kleemola's ever growing content on his personal Youtube channel is gaining a lot of following, and soon it will pass the landmark of a million views. In addition to his performing career, Kleemola is Lecturer in Guitar at Turku Conservatory & Music Institute. Kleemola gives regularly masterclasses during concert tours and recently he has given those in London, Buenos Aires, Milan and elsewhere in Italy, Estonia and Finland. Kleemola was the artistic director of the Brinkhall Summer Concerts during 2009-2011 in Turku, Finland. Kleemola is the founder and artistic director of Turku Guitar Festival. Markku Klami: Etudes for guitar: 4. Agitato nervosamente (excerpt) Klami’s Etudes is a collection of solo guitar pieces, each concentrating on a specific guitar playing technique. While targeted for younger and advanced young players, these etudes are intended and suitable for concert use by professional guitarists alike. Patrik Kleemola performs Etudes cycle on his YouTube channel In his Etudes , Klami makes use of some extended playing techniques, including playing the strings by hitting them with the left hand – and, at times, even both hands, techniques resulting in microtones, like plucking the strings on both sides of the hand on the fretboard, and partially muting the strings in various ways. These extended playing techniques are intended to provide also younger players with glimpses of the intriguing world of contemporary music. Markku Klami: Etudes for guitar: 5. Nocturno. Väre (Ripple) (excerpt) The idea to write new, contemporary music pieces that would not be technically too demanding for young and advanced younger players, while maintaining a high aesthetic value of a contemporary concert music was proposed to Klami by Kleemola. A close cooperation between Klami and Kleemola and study on the technical and aesthetic aspects of each etude has been taking place since late 2019. Klami has composed Etudes with the support by Arts Promition Centre Finland and the Finnish Cultural Foundation . Markku Klami: Etudes for guitar: 6. Puro (Stream) (excerpt) The Etudes are written for Patrik Kleemola. He will premiere the collection in whole in 2021. Stay tuned for more information about this project, which will be fully released in 2021, including a video release of each etude on Kleemola’s YouTube channel . Sheet music for Etudes is available via Edition Wilhelm Hansen (Wise Music Classical) < Back to News

September premieres with Lauri Sallinen & Seinäjoki City Orchestra and Patrik Kleemola Sep 10, 2021 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. 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. Originally planned for January 2021, the premiere of Klami's Clair for clarinet and large ensemble was postponed to September due to the pandemic situation. Lauri Sallinen will perform the clarinet solo and lead the musicians of the Seinäjoki City Orchestra in the premiere on September 16, 2021 in Seinäjoki, Finland. Etudes for guitar, a project long in the making is finally getting its YouTube premiere, where Patrik Kleemola will release video recordings of each 10 etudes coupled with discussion videos with Markku Klami. In the discussion videos, Kleemola and Klami talk about the pedagogical and musical aspects of each etude. This makes it possible for the audience to get a glimpse of the collaboration between the musician and composer, something that usually is not very visible to a broader audience. The premiere series of Etudes will run on Kleemola's YouTube channel every Monday beginning on September 27 and closing on November 29, 2021. The videos continue to be accessible on Kleemola's YouTube channel after the premiere period. Journalist Kimmo Korhonen interviewed Klami about the two works in question and their premieres and about his thoughts on composing in general. The interview, in Finnish, was published on the September 2021 issue of Rondo Classic magazine, the biggest monthly magazine in Finland with a focus on classical and contemporary music scene. The interview is accessible here: https://rondolehti.fi/rondo-lehti/kantaesitys/klamin-uutuudet-klarinetille-ja-kitaralle/ < 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’s FUME selected to the finals in Kaleidoscope’s 2020 Call for Scores in Los Angeles Mar 8, 2021 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. 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. Klami wrote FUME for clarinetist Lauri Sallinen , who gave the premiere performance with Avanti! Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jani Telaranta at Ung Nordisk Musik Festival in Helsinki in 2010. Kaleidoscope’s annual call for scores has become one of their major programs, and most of the new music they have performed and most of the composers they have commissioned have been a part of this program. The primary goals of their call for scores are to build relationships with composers, to get to know new music that they would love to perform, and to amplify awareness of new music so more musicians and organizations will consider programming more new music. This is the second time Klami reaches the finals in Kaleidoscope's annual Call for Scores. Last year, his clarinet sextet Clair sketches was selected to the final round. More information on FUME can be found at my Orchestra music page. And if you like, be sure to listen to the first performance of the piece on SoundCloud . The performance was given by Lauri Sallinen, clarinet and Avanti! Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jani Telaranta at Ung Nordisk Music Festival in Helsinki. FUME was selected to the Jury's list of recommended works in the 2nd International Uuno Klami Composition Competition . < 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

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

Audite tours with Markku Klami’s into the deep peace Feb 5, 2023 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. 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 . Commissioned by and dedicated to Audite and their conductor Jani Sivén , into the deep peace received its world premiere on Audite’s Voices of Earth tour on November 12, 2022 in Turku. The following performances will be given on February 10, 2023 in Tampere, February 11 in Jyväskylä, March 10 & 11 and April 6, 2023 in Helsinki. The concert in Helsinki on March 10, 2023 will be recorded and broadcasted by the Finnish Broadcasting Company. Klami’s work deals with trees and forests and the eternal landscapes they create. The text of the work is adapted by the composer from John Muir's travel memoir My First Summer in the Sierra, published in 1911. The text describes the Sierra mountain range in California, where the ancient temples of giant trees exude a peace and timelessness that is hard to find in our fast-paced everyday life and our modern society. Klami's work is a tribute to the deafening beauty and greatness of nature, next to which man is quite small, even insignificant and unnecessary. The work indirectly takes a stand on the effects of human activity on the nature of our earth - not by declaring, however, but by reminding of the beauty and importance of nature to people. The independent compositions of the Voices of Earth concert form a narrative entity that comments on the consequences of the climate crisis, the importance of biodiversity and man's changing relationship with nature. Conversational and current topics are included both in the melodies and in the texts selected for the works. The well-respected composers in the field of choral music and behind the works heard in Voices of Earth concert are Alex Freeman, Anna Huuskonen, Markku Klami, Finn Shields and Matthew Whittall. They also sing in the ranks of Audite chamber choir and thus know the instrument inside-out. In addition, the concert will feature a commissioned work composed by Jani Sivén , who conducts the choir. Visual and light design in the concert is by light artist and designer Ainu Palmu . Maria Ohisalo , Finland’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, acts as the patron of Audite's jubilee year. The anniversary year has been supported by Jenny and Antti Wihuri Fund, the Uusimaa regional fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation and the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Tickets to the Voices of Earth tour are available via Lippu.fi See also Audite chamber choir Alex Freeman Anna Huuskonen Finn Shields Jani Sivén Matthew Whittall Maria Ohisalo < 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

Patrik Kleemola tours with Markku Klami's Etudes in Finland and Germany Jan 22, 2023 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. 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. Although several movements from Etudes have been performed around Finland and abroad by Kleemola and other guitarists as well, and Kleemola released the Etudes cycle on his YouTube channel in the autumn of 2021, this event marks the world premiere of all Etudes in the same concert. German premieres of Etudes at the forum of contemporary music in Oberstdorf, Germany on March 25, 2023 After the concert world premiere on February 3, Kleemola takes the whole Etudes cycle on tour in Finland and Germany, with performances on Feb 8 at The Church of Holy Cross in Rauma, Feb 10 at the Pyynikki hall of the Tampere Conservatory of Music, Feb 17 at the Concert hall of the Helsinki Conservatory of Music, Feb 19 at the Korkalovaara Chapel in Rovaniemi and Feb 21 at the Kaamos Gallery of the Kuusamo House in Kuusamo. On March 25, 2023 Kleemola gives the German premiere of Etudes Nos. 6 "Stream", 4 "Agitato nervosamente", 9 "Mirage" and 10 "Blaze" at the forum of contemporary music festival at Breitachklamm Hall of Oberstdorf House in Oberstdorf, Germany. Etudes was written for Patrik Kleemola with support from The Finnish Cultural Foundation and The Arts Promotion Centre Finland . Sheet music for Etudes is available via Edition Wilhelm Hansen . The concert tour in Finland is supported by The Society of Finnish Composers. See also Etudes on Patrik Kleemola's YouTube Channel Sheet music for Etudes via Edition Wilhelm Hansen Etudes event on the Sibelius Academy website < Back to News

Markku Klami's Fractured (Memoria II) released on Mari Mäntylä’s album Passing Shadows Jun 10, 2025 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. The new album Passing Shadows , released by Alba Records on June 6, 2025, features Finnish decacordist Mari Mäntylä performing a compelling selection of contemporary works for decacorde, the ten-string guitar. Mäntylä, one of Finland’s most prominent performers on the instrument, is known for her broad-ranging concert activity in Finland and internationally, as well as her commitment to recording both classical repertoire and new music. The album includes Markku Klami's Fractured (Memoria II) , commissioned by and dedicated to Mäntylä. This introspective and texturally layered work explores themes of fragmentation and memory through the extended possibilities of the decacorde. Alongside Klami, the album features works by Tõnu Kõrvits, René Eespere, Charlotte Bray, Juan Antonio Muro, Mari Sainio, Pekka Jalkanen , and Mari Mäntylä herself, who contributes one of the album’s original works. Passing Shadows offers listeners a richly varied and deeply expressive journey into the contemporary sound world of the decacorde. The album is available for purchase through Alba Records’ website and can be streamed on all major digital platforms. < Back to News