In our first edition of Composers in the Spotlight series, we feature Sebastian Fagerlund, Sauli Zinovjev and Ilari Hylkilä, three composers who are not afraid to compose music that conveys strong emotions – and use the powerful sound of a full orchestra to express them.

Get acquainted with Finland's blooming contemporary music scene and scroll down to learn more about Fagerlund's, Zinojev's and Hylkilä's upcoming performances and latest releases.

Sebastian Fagerlund

The 2020 marks a busy year for Sebastian Fagerlund, a composer who has rapidly become one of the most successful names of his generation.

Fagerlund's year just kicked off with a UK premiere of Water Atlas. During the upcoming spring, his music will be premiered widely in the US: Clarinet Sonata at Grand Teton Winter Festival on February 7, Octet Autumn Equinox in Los Angeles on April 14, Water Atlas in Minnesota on June 4 and 5, and Drifts for orchestra in Detroit in June. The late summer brings along his cello concerto Nomade at Aspen Music Festival in August.

Sebastian Fagerlund's music will also be heard in various festivals around Europe, such as the West Cork Chamber Music Festival and Fjord Classics Festival, both in next June–July. In the latter, he will be the composer in residence.

Listen to Sebastian Fagerlund’s music on Spotify. 

Sauli Zinovjev

Sauli Zinovjev is definitely one of the essential names for the 2020s: a composer who uses classical music to make his own, interesting view of the world intelligible. 

His work Sospirando 4 will have its country premiere in the UK as Finnish conductor and cellist Klaus Mäkelä brings the Turku Music Festival to Wigmore Hall, London for a two-concert chamber music showcase. An orchestral work Un Grande Sospiro will be performed in Ottawa by the National Arts Centre Orchestra on May 6 and 7. 

The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra has also commissioned a new piano concerto from Zinojev, which will be premiered on April 1 with the Islandic pianist Vikingur Ólafsson.

Listen to Sauli Zinovjev’s music on Spotify.

Ilari Hylkilä

The time of powerful melodies is not over, states Ilari Hylkilä, a composer specialized in melodic classical music that's often described with the word “cinematic”. Most of Hylkilä's music is commissioned concert music, composed for wind orchestras. His music has been performed in many big arenas and festivals such as Basel Tattoo, Avenches Tattoo, Sweden International Tattoo and Hamina Tattoo. 

Additionally, Hylkilä's works have been used in many audiovisual productions and events. His passion for beautiful melodies, the Nordic nature and neo-medieval atmospheres can be heard in his latest releases: Yet, Saga and Waltz Unforgettable.

Listen to Ilari Hylkilä’s music on Spotify.