News

29.05.2024

Press release pdf
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition now in its 20th year is one of the world’s biggest competitions of its kind in terms of participants. The distinguished Jury of internationally-renowned members – composers Kalevi Aho, Magnus Lindberg, Lotta Wennäkoski and Mats Larsson Gothe (Sweden) and conductor Ernest Martínez Izquierdo (Spain) – has selected the following five works for the final round:

Yves Balmer, 45 (France/Switzerland): Stiacciato
Jonathan Brigg, 39 (Britain): Reflektor
Matei Gheorghiu, 39 (Romania/Finland): From the Village of Nowhere (piano concerto)
Dawid Grenda, 21 (Poland): you dream in a language i can’t understand
Roberto Sansuini, 57 (Italy): FLOW (flute concerto)

Two of the works include a soloist. In view of the large number of entries, the Jury has also compiled a recommended list of good entries that did not reach the finals (see over).

The composition competition announced in Europe in January 2023 attracted a vast number of entries, making it one of the most popular of its kind in the world. Nearly 230 compositions were submitted, by composers representing no fewer than 37 nationalities (statistics pdf). The highest number of entries came from Italy, Finland, Germany, Britain and Spain. The Jury will decide on the winner after hearing the finals concerts in mid-November.

The competition will culminate in the finals in November 2024 – tickets on sale from June 3

The Kymi Sinfonietta conducted by Ernest Martínez Izquierdo will perform all five works shortlisted for the finals at two exciting concerts. Two of the works include a soloist: Kaisa Kortelainen (flute) and Joonas Ahonen (piano).

The entries will be world premiered by the Kymi Sinfonietta at tense finals concerts at the Kuusankoski Hall at 7 pm on Thursday November 14, 2024 and at the Kotka Concert Hall at 7 pm on Friday November 15, 2024. The finalists and members of the Jury will be present in person at these concerts and their rehearsals. The results will be announced and the prizes awarded immediately after the concert in Kotka. The Kotka concert will be broadcast by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) and both finals concerts will be presented by Yle news reporter Jussi-Pekka Rantanen. Tickets for the finals concerts will go on sale on June 3 at Ticketmaster and other outlets.

Photos / finalists, members of the jury & soloists

This press release (pdf)

FURTHER INFO:
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association, Executive Director Reetaliina Marin, tel. +358 50 324 0058, reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi, www.klamicompetition.fi 

 

21.02.2024

The V International Uuno Klami Composition Competition has once again attracted a vast number of entries, the Competition Office having received a total of almost 230 compositions mailed by the deadline at the beginning of December 2023. Judging from the postmarks, they have come from all over the competition region – no fewer than 29 countries – which says much about the competition’s international interest. Now in its 20th year, the Uuno Klami is one of the world’s most popular composition competitions in terms of participants and has been for many years. Due to the large number of entries, it has had to be restricted to Europe, so as not to overload the Jury.

The Jury has from December 2023 to the end of March 2004 to assess the entries. Its members, all leading composers and musical influencers of their generation, are Kalevi Aho, Magnus Lindberg and Lotta Wennäkoski from Finland, and Sweden’s Mats Larsson Gothe. The conductor member is no longer as previously announced: Anna-Maria Helsing has had to withdraw due to other commitments and her place has been taken by Ernest Martinez Izquierdo. The Jury will draw up a finals shortlist of from three to five compositions in the course of spring 2024.

The Jury will choose the winners in November 2024, after hearing all the shortlisted works performed by the Kymi Sinfonietta conducted by Ernest Martinez Izquierdo at two concerts and their orchestral rehearsals in Kouvola and Kotka. The competition is unique in that the Jury does not make its final decision until after these concerts and rehearsals. The finalists also attend the concerts and their rehearsals in the two cities.

The Uuno Klami is the only international competition regularly held in Finland for a composition for orchestra. The V International Uuno Klami Composition Competition was announced in January 2023. Contestants must be citizens of or hold a permanent residence permit in a Nordic country, an EU Member State or one of the following countries: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldavia, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom or the Vatican City State. The competition has aroused extremely widespread interest ever since it was announced, and the Competition Office has received a wealth of enquiries from all over the world, some from outside the competition region.

FURTHER INFO
V International Uuno Klami Composition Competition
Executive Director Reetaliina Marin, tel. +358 50 324 0058
reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi, www.klamicompetition.fi

 

 

23.01.2020

The IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition (2018-2019) received a record number of entries – 283 from 38 countries. The five works chosen for the finals were performed by the Kymi Sinfonietta under conductor Olari Elts at finals concerts held in Kouvola on November 14 and Kotka on November 15, 2019. The soloists were Valentina Coladonato (soprano), Oleg Larionov (viola), Risto-Matti Marin (piano) and Heigo Rosin (marimba). The concerts were presented by YLE newscaster Jussi-Pekka Rantanen. The Kotka concert was broadcast live by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) on its Radio Channel 1.

The Kotka finals concert can be heard at YLE Areena https://areena.yle.fi/1-50283760

 

15.11.2019

(Photo: Petri Hurme / Vinkeä Design Oy)

THE RESULTS OF THE IV INTERNATIONAL UUNO KLAMI COMPOSITION COMPETITION

Kotka / Kouvola, Finland 15.11.2019

The results of the IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition have now been announced and the prizes were awarded after the finals concert in Kotka on November 15.

The jury consisting of Kalevi Aho (Chairman), Magnus Lindberg, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Olari Elts awarded the prizes as follows:

I prize € 11 000: Andrea Portera (Italy) for Klecksophonic Lieder
II prize € 9 000: Christopher Culpo (France) for Mundus Imaginalis
III prize € 7 000: Tomi Räisänen (Finland) for Portal (Marimba Concerto)

The prize of the City of Kotka worth €3 000 went to Pertti Jalava (Finland) for Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
The prize of the City of Kouvola worth €2 000 went to Roberto Sansuini (Italy) for Four Tales for Small Orchestra
The audience prize, the prize of the Municipality of Virolahti worth € 500 went to Tomi Räisänen (Finland) for Portal (Marimba Concerto)

Entries for the competition were submitted by 283 composers representing 38 nationalities. The standard of the entries was so high that the jury decided to issue a list of 14 works definitely worth a performance in addition to the five selected for the finals.

The five works chosen for the finals were performed by the Kymi Sinfonietta under conductor Olari Elts at finals concerts held in Kouvola on November 14 and Kotka on November 15. The soloists were Valentina Coladonato (soprano), Oleg Larionov (viola), Risto-Matti Marin (piano) and Heigo Rosin (marimba).

The patroness of the IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition was the Minister of Science and Culture, Hanna Kosonen.

 

PRESS PHOTOS: www.klamicompetition.fi (Gallery)

 

FURTHER INFO: International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association,

Executive Director Reetaliina Marin, tel. +358 50 3240058, fax +358 5 2344708,

reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi, www.klamicompetition.fi

13.11.2019

The finalists in the International Uuno Klami Composition Competition, one of the world’s most popular composition competitions and now being held for the fourth time, have arrived in Southeast Finland for the climax of the competition: Christopher Culpo (France), Pertti Jalava (Finland), Andrea Portera (Italy), Tomi Räisänen (Finland) and Roberto Sansuini (Italy). The Kymi Sinfonietta conducted by Olari Elts will premiere their works at finals concerts at the Kuusankoski Hall (Kouvola) at 7 pm on Thursday November 14 and at the Kotka Concert Hall at 7 pm on Friday November 15. The results will be announced after the concert in Kotka. The Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) will broadcast the Kotka concert live on its Radio channel 1.

Finalists and Jury also present at the orchestral rehearsals

The finalists will also be present at the orchestral rehearsals in Kotka and Kouvola, where they will have a chance to go through the finer details of their works with the soloists and orchestra. The four soloists at the finals concerts are all top artists: Italian soprano Valentina Coladonato, Russian-born violist Oleg Larionov, Finnish pianist Risto-Matti Marin and Estonian percussionist Heigo Rosin.

Also closely attending the finals rehearsals will be Jury members Kalevi Aho, Magnus Lindberg, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Olari Elts. The Klami competition is unique in that the Jury hears the short-listed works at two concerts and their rehearsals before selecting the winner. Its final decision is thus influenced by the overall impression created by the live performances; this is extremely rare in a composition competition. The Jury has therefore been hard at work long before the finals, having studied no fewer than 283 entries from 38 countries.

Fascinating menu of new music – five orchestral works, all different

The five works selected for the finals offer a fascinating menu of new music and styles. Mundus Imaginalis by Christopher Culpo is based on dialogue between piano and strings, reflections and shadows; the Viola Concerto by Pertti Jalava is a narrative mood piece at times brisk, at others dreamy and lingering. Klecksophonic Lieder by Andrea Portera describes symbols of and journeys towards the unconscious in a story told by a soprano soloist. Tomi Räisänen’s Marimba Concerto Portal bears echoes of popular music and references including Alice in Wonderland, the film Matrix and Harry Potter, while each of the movements in Four Tales by Roberto Sansuini expresses a different character and mood.

Members of the audience will have a chance to meet the competition finalists before the concerts at the Kuusankoski Hall (Hirvelä room, upper floor) at 5.30 pm on Thursday November 14 and at the Vausti Restaurant at the Kotka Concert Hall at 5.30 pm on Friday November 15. The finalists will be interviewed by Jussi-Pekka Rantanen, a Yle newscaster familiar to many in Finland and also the presenter at both finals concerts.

 

FURTHER INFO:

International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association,

Executive Director Reetaliina Marin, tel. +358 50 324 0058,

reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi, www.klamicompetition.fi

10.09.2019

 

OTHER EVENTS IN FINALS WEEK (NOVEMBER 2019)

Landscape Concert - featuring the life of Uuno Klami in music and words
Monday 11 November at 7 pm Kouvola’s Maria Hall
Esa Ylönen (piano and presenter) and Sirkku Mantere (violin)
Tickets € 12:
Kymi Sinfonietta’s Orchestra Office, tel. +358 5 234 4891 // Kauppalankatu 6-8, Manski, Kouvola (Tuesdays) and one hour beforehand at the door

Klami Chamber Recital - featuring the life of Uuno Klami in music and words
Wednesday 13 November at 7 pm Kotka Concert Hall
Sirkku Mantere (violin) - Laura Bucht (cello) - Esa Ylönen (piano and presenter)
Tickets
€ 15:
Kymi Sinfonietta’s Orchestra Office, tel. +358 5 234 4891 // Kauppalankatu 6-8, Manski, Kouvola (Tuesdays) and one hour beforehand at the door

Composer Focus
Thursday 14 November at 17.30 Kuusankoski Hall, upper floor
Interviews with the Klami Competition finalists, interviewer: Mr Jussi-Pekka Rantanen

Composer Focus
Friday 15 November at 17.30 Kotka Concert Hall, restaurant Vausti

Interviews with the Klami Competition finalists, interviewer: Mr Jussi-Pekka Rantanen

Klami Lounge, restaurant Vausti (Kotka)
From 3 pm on Wednesday 13 November until the end of the finals concert on Friday 15 November
Visitors to the lounge will have a chance to capture the competition atmosphere and meet the composers and performers. The Lounge meeting times will be announced nearer the finals, on the orchestra’s website and in social media.

Klami Lounge, Kuusankoski Hall
Thursday 14 November at 16.45-17.30 Kuusankoski Hall, upper floor
Information and conversations about composer Uuno Klami

Uuno Klami Menu
The following restaurants will be serving a Uuno Klami Menu in October and November: Wanha Fiskari, Vausti, Frans & Rosalie (Kotka), Olé, Kymin Huvila and Frans & Rose (Kouvola).

Uuno Klami exhibition
At the concert halls

23.05.2019

FINALISTS SELECTED FOR THE IV INTERNATIONAL
UUNO KLAMI COMPOSITION COMPETITION

The finalists for the IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition, one of the world’s most popular composition competitions in the number of entries, have now been selected. The prestigious Jury consisting of Finnish composers Kalevi Aho, Magnus Lindberg and Estonian Erkki-Sven Tüür, and Estonian conductor Olari Elts has selected the following five works for the competition finals:

Christopher Culpo, 58, France: Mundus Imaginalis
Pertti Jalava, 58, Finland: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
Andrea Portera, 44, Italy: Klecksophonic Lieder
Tomi Räisänen, 42, Finland: Portal (Marimba Concerto)
Roberto Sansuini, 52, Italy: Four Tales for Small Orchestra

Four of the finals works have a soloist. In view of the large number of entries, the Jury has also drawn up a list of recommended works that did not qualify for the finals (see attachment).

The composition competition announced in the European region in January 2018 evoked an immense response, making it one of the world’s most popular composition competitions. For the Competition Office received a total of 283 entries representing no fewer than 38 nationalities. The largest number of entries came from Italy, Finland, Germany, the UK, Russia and Spain.

According to Kalevi Aho, Chairman of the Jury, the standard of the competition is extremely high. He describes the selection of the finals works as follows: “There were many extremely fine works among the entries, and we could choose only a few for the finals. Quality was one of the criteria in selecting them, and the result is a varied finals concert programme of a high standard. The finals concerts will, I believe, be musically diverse and extremely interesting for the audience. Deciding the winner will be difficult for the Jury.” The Jury will make its final decision on the competition’s winners after hearing the finals concerts in mid-November.

The competition will culminate in two finals concerts in November 2019. Tickets now on sale.

The Kymi Sinfonietta conducted by Olari Elts will perform the five works chosen for the finals with top soloists at two exciting concerts. These works will thus receive their world premiere at tense concerts at the Kuusankoski Hall on Thursday November 14, 2019 and at the Kotka Concert Hall on Friday November 15, 2019, both concerts beginning at 7 pm. The Jury will make its ultimate decisions only after hearing the finals concerts and their rehearsals, to which the finalists will also be invited. The results will be announced and the prizes awarded after the concert in Kotka. The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) will be broadcasting the Kotka concert on the radio and the concerts will be presented by YLE newscaster Jussi-Pekka Rantanen. Tickets for the finals concerts are now on sale at Ticketmaster and other sales points.

FURTHER INFO:
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association
Executive Director Reetaliina Marin, tel. +358 50 324 0058,
email reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi
www.klamicompetition.fi

PRESS RELEASE May 23, 2019

STATISTICS OF PARTICIPANTS May 23, 2019 (pdf)

 

18.01.2019

Record number of entries for the IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition - further reinforces its position as one of the world’s most popular composition competitions

The IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition has evoked an immense response, for the Competition Office received a total of 283 entries posted by the deadline at the beginning of December 2018. Judging from the postmarks, they were sent from all across the target region, Europe. The fact that they came from no fewer than 37 different countries is proof of the extremely great international interest aroused by the competition. The high number of entries makes the Uuno Klami one of the world’s most popular composition competitions, and the fact that the number of participants has risen again and again is also significant.

The competition Jury is now spending the period from December to March rating the scores. The members of the Jury, all leading composers and persons of influence on the musical scene, are Finland’s Kalevi Aho and Magnus Lindberg and Estonia’s Erkki-Sven Tüür. The conductor member is Olari Elts, Artistic Advisor of the Kymi Sinfonietta. The distinguished Jury will shortlist 3–5 works for the finals in spring 2019. As Kalevi Aho, Chairman of the Jury, says of the competition’s popularity, “The number of participants in the Klami Composition Competition shows it has become one of the leading international composition competitions.”

The Jury will finally decide the winners in November 2019, after hearing all the shortlisted works at two finals concerts plus their orchestral rehearsals performed by the Kymi Sinfonietta and conducted by Olari Elts in Kouvola and Kotka (Finland). The competition is unique in that the Jury makes its ultimate decisions only after hearing the finals concerts and their rehearsals. The composers of the shortlisted works are also invited to attend the finals concerts and their rehearsals in SE Finland.

The IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition was announced in January 2018 in all the Nordic countries, EU Member States, Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldavia, Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine or the Vatican City State. It evoked an extremely enthusiastic response the moment it was announced and the Competition Office received a wealth of enquiries, some of them also from countries all over the world, outside the designated region.

PRESS RELEASE January 18, 2019 (pdf)

FURTHER INFO:
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association,
Executive Director Reetaliina Marin
tel. +358 50 324 0058,
reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi
www.klamicompetition.fi 

07.11.2018

The deadline for entries in the IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition is fast approaching: entries, to be sent to the Competition Office, must be postmarked 3 December 2018 at the latest. News of this competition, which has a keen following, has clearly sped round the globe, for messages or enquiries have come in from composers the world over. The Uuno Klami is the only international competition held in Finland for the composition of an orchestral work.
The competition is open to citizens of any EU Member State, of a Nordic country, or of Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldavia, Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine or the Vatican City State. The members of the Jury, all leading composers and prominent music figures of their generation, are Finland’s Kalevi Aho and Magnus Lindberg and Estonia’s award-winning Erkki-Sven Tüür. The conductor member is Olari Elts, Artistic Advisor of the Kymi Sinfonietta. The distinguished Jury will select about five works for the finals in early spring 2019.
The competition has aroused widespread international interest: numerous enquiries have been received from all over the world – even more than for the previous, III International Uuno Klami Composition Competition, which elicited a record response. Judging from the previous competitions, the arrival of entries at the Competition Office will reach its peak close to the deadline, at the beginning of December. Competitors particularly value the eminent Jury, the finals concerts and the prizes (€11,000, €9,000 and €7,000).
The works selected for the finals and their composers will be presented to the public at large in a unique way in November 2019, when the Kymi Sinfonietta will perform all the compositions selected for the finals at two concerts, one in Kouvola and one in Kotka. The orchestra will be conducted by its Artistic Advisor, Olari Elts. The finals will attract international composers to SE Finland. The members of the Jury will, like the finalists, be present at these concerts and their rehearsals. The competition is also unique in that the Jury makes its final decisions only after hearing the finals concerts and their rehearsals. In other words, the decisions are based not purely on the printed page but on several hearings as well. It thus remains exciting up to the very last moment.  
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition aims to promote contemporary European composition and composers under the name of Uuno Klami (1900–1961), a cosmopolitan composer in his day. A native of SE Finland, Klami was the most highly-acclaimed Finnish composer of his generation, and the competition seeks to actively increase appreciation of his lifelong work, both in Finland and worldwide. The previous International Uuno Klami Composition Competition attracted a record 265 entries from 37 countries.

PRESS RELEASE November 2, 2018 Deadline fast approaching! (pdf)

FURTHER INFO:
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association,
Executive Director Reetaliina Marin, tel. +358 50 324 0058,
reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi,
www.klamicompetition.fi 

05.01.2018

The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition, now one of the world’s foremost composition competitions, is being held for the fourth time in 2018–2019. The Jury will be Finland’s Kalevi Aho and Magnus Lindberg and Estonia’s Erkki-Sven Tüür, three of the greatest composers and most influential musical figures of their generation. The conductor member of the Jury will be Olari Elts (Estonia), Artistic Advisor of the Kymi Sinfonietta.

The competition is open to citizens of any EU Member State, of a Nordic country, or of Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldavia, Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine or the Vatican City State (proof of permanent right of residence also accepted). There is no age limit. Works entered for the competition must not have been previously published or performed and must last 15–30 minutes. They must be sent to the Competition Office postmarked not later than December 3, 2018. The following prizes will be awarded: I prize €11,000, II prize €9,000 and III prize €7,000. The Jury may, if it wishes, divide the prizes in some other way.

In early spring 2019 the Jury will select at least three but not more than five of the anonymous entries for the finals. These will be performed at concerts in Kouvola and Kotka in the autumn season 2019 by the Kymi Sinfonietta, one of the finest Finnish orchestras. The Jury chooses the winners only after hearing the finals concerts and their rehearsals. The composers of these entries will be invited to be closely involved in the rehearsing of their works and thus to acquire valuable international contacts and networks that may have far-reaching consequences for their future careers. For many composers, success in the Klami Competition has indeed meant a decisive boost in their careers.

As composer Kalevi Aho, Chairman of the Jury as of the previous International Uuno Klami Composition Competitions, reports: “The Uuno Klami is the most important Finnish composition competition and one of the greatest of its kind in Europe. The most challenging stage for the Jury is selecting the finalists, since the standard has been extremely high throughout and the competition has attracted a remarkably large number of entries.”

The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition has attracted an astounding number of entries: 117 from 23 countries the first time it was held, 186 from 27 countries the second time, and no fewer than 265 from 37 countries on the third occasion.  This clearly indicates an obvious demand for a professional competition for international composers. The competition’s aim is to enrich and diversify the repertoire scored specifically for an orchestra of sinfonietta size and to discover and promote contemporary European music and composition under the name of Uuno Klami (1900–1961). The competition is organised by a Patrons’ Association.

Further information and copies of the rules: Executive Director Reetaliina Marin,
tel. +358 50 324 0058, email reetaliina.marin@kymisinfonietta.fi.
The competition website is at www.klamicompetition.fi