Feature

Pekka Kuusisto is an explorer on whose world map music has no borders. He is equally at home in concert halls and cosy clubs. The joy of music is in interaction. For the rapidly ageing world of classical music, personalities like Kuusisto are oases in a desert.

Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät is an unlikely international cult hit. A punk band consisting of four adult men with learning disabilities, singing in Finnish, it is also the subject of an award-winning documentary, The Punk Syndrome.

A Sixth Symphony, orchestral solo songs, an organ concerto, sonatas for most wind instruments, six new string quartets… not to speak of a world-embracing opera plan and ideas about making a computer clone of oneself.

Internationally and domestically active conductor, John Storgårds prefers to conduct music composed with both hearts and brains – and does it with exceptional emotion and sincerity.

Artists choosing an art form outside the mainstream will find themselves frequently answering the question: Why? Kaari and Roni Martin have created many notable works of contemporary art using the language of flamenco.

Raoul Björkenheim is a guitarist and composer in a constant search for new levels of expression. This versatile musician is at home on two continents and in various musical styles. For him, improvisation is a matter of life philosophy and music should have true personal value.

Singing with the voice of old men and playing the jouhikko, an ancient bowed lyre, Pekko Käppi is hot stuff in Finland and abroad with his band. The archaic boogie performed by K:H:H:L seems to resonate with an incredible variety of audiences. Käppi is on the front line in the resurrection of one of Finland’s oldest instruments.

Prostitutes and jugglers, silent film and poetry. Composer Lotta Wennäkoski boldly tackles social subjects and explores territory between art genres.