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

Audite tours with Markku Klami’s into the deep peace Feb 6, 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

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

Lauri Sallinen premieres Markku Klami's Ambience I: Burning at Meidän Festivaali Jul 22, 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

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

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

Markku Klami's Elegia featured at ISCM World New Music Days in South Africa Nov 23, 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

Patrik Kleemola gives the YouTube premiere of Klami's Etudes for guitar Sep 24, 2021 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. 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. An introduction video to the Etudes project with Patrik Kleemola and Markku Klami, released on YouTube on September 20, 2021. Welcome to follow the YouTube premiere of Markku Klami’s Etudes for guitar on Mondays at 7pm (UTC+03), beginning on September 27 and continuing until November 29, 2021 on guitarist Patrik Kleemola’s YouTube channel . On Monday, September 20, 2021 Klami and Kleemola released an introduction video to the Etudes project. Each Monday from September 27 until November 29, 2021, a new video performance of the 10 etudes will be released on YouTube, coupled with a discussion video with Kleemola and Klami, where they talk about the pedagogical and musical aspect of the pieces. This also gives a glimpse into the cooperation between the musician and the composer – which may usually remain obscure to a wider audience. Patrik Kleemola performs Etudes series on his YouTube Channel Etudes for guitar continues Klami’s long collaboration with Kleemola. The initial idea for a set of new etudes for guitar came up in a conversation Klami had with Kleemola back in 2017. In addition to Kleemola’s career as a guitarist and Klami’s career as a composer of contemporary music, they both have a long working experience as educators. Kleemola gives tuition in guitar playing at the Turku Conservatory of Music and Turku Music Institute, and Klami gives tuition in composition and music theory at the Helsinki Conservatory of Music, the Espoo Music Institute and the East Helsinki Music Institute. Kleemola’s and Klami’s mutual point of view was that contemporary music doesn’t play a substantial part in the repertoire of students in music institutes. In fact, the vast and rich oeuvre of today’s composers is something that students only come across during their academic studies in music. As Kleemola and Klami see it, the situation is more or less the same around the world. Their wish was to address this issue and contribute to the availability of contemporary music in the repertoires of students, also younger students. Although Etudes is pedagogically designed to target different playing techniques—both traditional and unconventional—Klami’s aim was just as much to compose pieces that would be suitable for concert use by students and professional guitarists alike. The result is a collection of ten etudes covering a wealth of moods, styles and sonic possibilities of a solo guitar. The technical difficulty level increases gradually as one progress through the etudes. The first etudes are suitable for younger and more experienced students alike, whereas the last etudes are primarily targeted at professional guitarists and students pursuing their professional degree in music. Sheet music for Klami’s Etudes is available from Edition Wilhelm Hansen (part of Wise Music Classical). Patrik Kleemola’s website: www.patrikkleemola.com < 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

Markku Klami nominated for Finnish Music Publishers Composer of the Year award Jun 15, 2026 Klami's Violin Concerto: A Requiem is nominated in Composer of the Year category for large-scale works Markku Klami has been nominated for Finnish Music Publishers Award 2026 in the category Composer of the Year – Large-Scale Works for his Violin Concerto: A Requiem . The awards are presented annually by the Finnish Music Publishers Association , which represents Finnish music publishers. This year marks the association’s 50th anniversary. The Finnish Music Publishers Awards recognize outstanding achievements in Finnish music across a range of categories, including Song of the Year, Popular Music Creator of the Year, Open Category Work of the Year, Export Achievement of the Year, Composer of the Year (Large-Scale and Small-Scale Works), and Breakthrough of the Year. The nominees are selected based on proposals submitted by the association’s member publishers, while the winners are chosen by invited expert juries. The winners of the Finnish Music Publishers Awards 2026 will be announced at the gala ceremony on September 10, 2026 at the White Hall in Helsinki. Wise Music Classical covered the world premiere of Klami’s Violin Concerto in a news article published on April 13, 2026 www.wisemusicclassical.com World premiere of new violin concerto by Markku Klami Written for violinist Maria Puusaari , the concerto is a deeply personal requiem for an unborn life. Across three movements, De profundis, Alcheringa, and Ad lucem, Klami traces an emotional journey from anger and frustration, through a dreamlike and fragile state where hope briefly emerges to a final striving towards light. Blending the intensity of a concerto with the reflective character of a requiem, the work unfolds as both an intimate and universal meditation on loss, longing, and resilience. – Wise Music Classical / Edition Wilhelm Hansen < Back to News

TampereRaw to premiere Markku Klami's Elegia at Tampere Biennale Festival Mar 29, 2022 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. 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. The texts sung in Elegia's three movements are poems written by Katja Klami . The subjects of the poems focus on human destinies, especially resignation and loss. The three poems, Minä kuvittelin sinulle elämän (I imagined life for you), Hiipuen (Fading) and Palava maa (Burning earth) , focus on unwanted infertility, the caregiver experiences of memory-impaired patients, and climate change and global conflicts. The titles of the poems are echoed in the titles of Elegia's three movements. The commissioner, Tampere Biennale Festival, proposed a wish that the texts in Elegia would focus on human destinies. During the composition work, Katja Klami's poems turned out to be not only timeless, but also very topical. Elegia was completed in late February 2022, just a day after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The short and captivating words of the last poem, Palava maa , reflect on the effects of human actions on the environment and nature as well as on other people. Teosto , the music copyright association in Finland, recently released a blog article by Markku Klami about the composition process of Elegia and how the poems by Katja Klami affected the process. Elegia is written for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano and was commissioned by Tampere Biennale Festival. The commission was supported by the Sibelius Fund. < 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