music
Musical Discoveries and Italy
I began my journey into music and piano playing when I was around 12 years old. I can still vividly recall the first time my fingers danced across the keyboard; it sparked an incredible connection that inspired me to create my melodies. This passion comes from a place deep within me, something I can’t quite put into words, but I’m grateful it’s been a part of my life.
After graduating from high school, I dove headfirst into the world of composition, immersing myself in classical music and experimenting with innovative contemporary techniques. The dream of giving my first concert of my compositions fueled my passion. To realize this vision, I longed to travel to new countries and immerse myself in different cultures for inspiration. Then, Italy entered my life through my sister who was studying in Florence. This beautiful country would leave an indelible mark on my soul and become a significant chapter in my journey. Whenever I have the chance, I feel compelled to return to this enchanting place.
Florence – my spiritual home.
Metamorphosis – Part 1 from 2024 and the music inspired by it.
The First Concert
I had the wonderful opportunity to spend my first spring in Italy in 1986, where I worked on new material for my concert. When I returned to Finland, I found a composer in my hometown with whom I could share all my sketches and ideas. He was a great help in my first serious compositions, giving me invaluable tips and guiding me through the creative process. I am grateful for his support because having some help is so important, especially at the beginning of your career, when you do not know what direction to take on your artistic path.
My first composition concert took place in 1987, and it was a collaboration with my city orchestra. I performed both as pianist and conductor. The program included my latest works for string quartet, quintet, string orchestra, and solo piano. At that time, my music was still leaning toward traditional styles. I projected art photographs on a screen behind something extraordinary compared to a normal classical concert. Perhaps this was a glimpse into my desire to push classical boundaries and blend different elements to create something unique and an artistic experience for all our senses.
A promo picture from the 1980s.
The First Composition Award
My next composition, “Tales for String Quartet,” entered a composition competition in Finland in 1988. The jury featured two renowned Finnish composers, and they found my concept and overall idea intriguing! They also appreciated my innovative and versatile approach and the experimental techniques I used for the string quartet. Nearly one hundred compositions were submitted anonymously, and I was thrilled to receive the Second Shared Prize. The jury noted that all the awarded pieces showcased high quality.
Studying
After winning that award, I continued studying music and composing new works. I drew inspiration from various composers and styles while searching for my unique musical voice. In 1990, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a composing course in Finland called “Time of Music.” The teacher was Jean-Claude Risset, a celebrated French composer known for his groundbreaking work in computer music. He was wonderful and introduced so many fresh perspectives on creativity and the art of composing.
Concerts and Performing
An important chapter in my biography is Russia. My next concert was in Moscow in 1991, where I presented my latest string quartet and a solo piano composition. I had the opportunity to work with the Moscow pianist Dmitri Klimov on this piece. This experience marked my first interaction with Russian musicians and led to collaborations with these talented artists. In 1992, I performed as a pianist again in Russia at the St. Petersburg ’92 Festival with my latest solo piano composition.
The concert in Moscow in 1991.
Composing in Helsinki in 1992.
More Concerts, Studying, and Russia
In 1992, I gave my next concert in St. Petersburg (in the Small Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia), featuring a new program including my latest string quartet and solo piano compositions. I was fortunate to have Dmitri Klimov as a soloist for my piano piece. I also became acquainted with another notable Russian musician, Alexei Massarsky, an award-winning cellist from St. Petersburg. He played my new solo cello work, “Nostalghia,” inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky’s film.
That same year, I participated again in the “Time of Music” course, taught by York Höller, a German composer known for his multiple awards. Like my experience with Risset, I gained insights into new compositional techniques and different perspectives on being a composer.
In 1994, I encountered cellist Alexei Massarsky once more during my concert in Finland when he performed my solo cello piece “Constellations.” This work was specifically composed for him, drawing inspiration from the text of Japanese artist Toshikatsu Endo. Collaborating with such an accomplished musician has always provided valuable lessons about creating music with live performers.
Over the past decades, I have continued on my artistic journey. I have been working on developing and broadening my musical language, technique and palette.
Together with Alexei Massarsky in Finland in 1994.