One of the leading composition competitions in the world today, a distinguished jury, magnificent entries and soloists, live coverage by the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) and first-class musicians together make for the electrifying finals in November of the Klami Competition founded 20 years ago. The finals concerts can be heard at 7 p.m. at the Kuusankoski Hall on Thursday 14.11.2024 and at 7 p.m. at the Kotka Concert Hall on Friday 15.11.2024. The results will be announced and the prizes awarded after the concert in Kotka, which will be broadcast live by Yle. The competition orchestra is the Kymi Sinfonietta, the conductor Ernest Martínez Izquierdo, and the soloists are Kaisa Kortelainen (flute) and Joonas Ahonen (piano). Presenting the concerts will be Jussi-Pekka Rantanen.
The five competition finalists – Yves Balmer (France/Switzerland), Jonathan Brigg (UK), Matei Gheorghiu (Romania/Finland), Dawid Grenda (Poland) and Roberto Sansuini (Italy) – will be attending the final orchestral rehearsals and concerts. Also present in person will be the members of the Jury – composers Kalevi Aho, Magnus Lindberg, Mats Larsson Gothe (Sweden) and Lotta Wennäkoski – and the conductor Ernest Martínez Izquierdo (Spain). The Jury will decide the winner after hearing the finals concerts, i.e., based on what they have heard. The competition, which is arranged by the International Uuno Klami Composition Competition Patrons’ Association., received nearly 230 entries representing 37 nationalities.
FRINGE EVENTS HIGHLIGHT UUNO KLAMI, PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC AT THE MARITIME CENTRE VELLAMO, FINALS WORKS AND CUISINE
The side programme accompanying the Klami Competition will provide a wealth of background info about Uuno Klami and the importance of classical music. Events:
- TRACKING DOWN UUNO KLAMI: Recitals by pianist Esa Ylönen and three players from the Kymi Sinfonietta at 6-7 p.m. on Thursday 7.11. at the Simelius Hall of the Kouvola Hall and at 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday 12.11. at the Kotka Concert Hall. This delightful concert will present chamber music by Klami, fellow students and Ravel.
- PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RELEVANCE OF CLASSICAL MUSIC IN THE PRESENT-DAY WORLD. In partnership with the Association of Finnish Composers; at 1 p.m. on Friday 15.11. at the Maritime Centre Vellamo. The panellists will be Iiris Lehtonen, Executive Director of the Association of Finnish Composers, Joonas Ahonen, pianist and Artistic Director of the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra and composer Kalevi Aho. Hosted by Kirsi Lönnblad.
- MEET THE COMPOSERS: Jussi-Pekka Rantanen from the Yle news desk will interview the competition finalists at the concert halls from 5:30 p.m.
- UUNO KLAMI WEEK AT THE VAUSTI AND JOLLA 13.-16.11.2024: The Vausti Restaurant at the Kotka Concert Hall is putting on a magnificent Klami menu and the Jolla wine bar a theme special and cocktail in the spirit of Klami at its Klami Lounge.
Tickets for the finals concerts are on sale at e.g. Ticketmaster, the Orchestra Office (+358 5 234 4891) and at the door one hour before the start of each concert.
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.