Samuli Kosminen

Trumpeter Verneri Pohjola has spent this weird spring pretty much the same way as all professional musicians worldwide: Taking part in streamed concerts and honing his chops and working on new music at home. A recent highlight amidst the trying times was the whopping Down Beat review of his current album The Dead Don’t Dream. At FMQ‘s request, Verneri spoke to Petri Silas about the music that gives him solace and strength when the going gets tough.

The first Moomin book Småtrollen och den stora översvämningen (The Moomins and the Great Flood) was published 75 years ago. To mark the anniversary, FMQ gives an overview of music that has been composed over the years based on and inspired by Moomin stories.

"When accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen invited me to join him at his sauna society in January I couldn’t resist. But I was afraid. I’ve been courageous enough to attend many Kimmo shows and survived. But here was a challenge."

Lauri Porra reveals in the first sentence of his booklet commentary that he is the great-grandson of Jean Sibelius – but it’s more by way of explaining his musical background than to trade on the relationship.

The world music market has seen a boom in Celtic, African and Latin American music. Many people believe that it is the turn of the Nordic countries next.