Uuno Klami Composition Competition finals on Thursday and Friday
12.11.2024 | The finalists of the V International Uuno Klami Composition Competition, one of the most popular composition competitions in the world, French-Swiss Yves Balmer, British Jonathan Brigg, Romanian-Finnish Matei Gheorghiu, Polish Dawid Grenda and Italian Roberto Sansuini, have arrived in Finland and Kymenlaakso for the final performance of the competition.
The Kymi Sinfonietta, conducted by Ernest Martínez Izquierdo, will premiere their works at the final concerts on Thursday 14 November at 19:00 at Kuusankoski Hall and Friday 15 November at 19:00 at Kotka Concert Hall. The results will be announced after the final concert in Kotka. YLE Radio 1 will broadcast the Kotka concert live. It is one of the most popular composition competitions in the world.
Finalists and jury are also present at orchestra rehearsals
The finalists will also attend orchestra rehearsals of their works in Kotka and Kouvola. The works will be polished in collaboration with the conductor, orchestra and soloists. The soloists are the top experts in their instruments, flutist Kaisa Kortelainen and pianist Joonas Ahonen.
In addition to the finalists, the jury – Kalevi Aho, Magnus Lindberg, Mats Larsson Gothe, Lotta Wennäkoski and Ernest Martínez Izquierdo – will closely follow the rehearsals. What makes the competition unique is that the jury will hear the final works in two concerts and orchestra rehearsals before choosing the winner. The jury’s final decision is thus also based on the impression created by the live performances, a very rare practice in composition competitions. The jury has already had a demanding task ahead of the final round, with almost 230 compositions from 37 different nationalities.
A fascinating selection of new contemporary music – five different orchestral works
The five finalists offer a truly fascinating mix of contemporary music innovations and very different musical styles. So it should be a very interesting concert. Listeners will also be able to vote for their favourites, which is a great way to get involved in the excitement of the competition.
On the day of the final concert, Friday 15 November at 13:00, a panel discussion will be held at the Vellamo Maritime Centre, featuring Iiris Lehtonen, Executive Director of the Finnish Symphony Orchestras Association, pianist and Artistic Director of Avant Joonas Ahonen and composer Kalevi Aho. The event will be hosted by journalist Kirsi Lönnblad.
Before the final concerts, it will be possible to meet the finalists of the composition competition at the Säveltäjät esiin! events on Thursday 14 November at 17.30 at Kuusankoskitalo, upstairs meeting room Hirvelkä and on Friday 15 November at 17.30 at Restaurant Vausti in Kotka Concert Hall. The finalists will be interviewed at both events by Yle news presenter and journalist Jussi-Pekka Rantanen, who will also host both final concerts of the competition.