Contemporary and classical music was victorious at Finnish Music Publishers’ awards gala, held on September 5th in Helsinki. The Export award went to Kaija Saariaho's works on the "Reconnaissance" album, with other winners being i.e. Lotta Wennäkoski and Matthew Whittall.

This year's "Export award" was given to Kaija Saariaho's works on the album Reconnaissance. This February, the recording, performed by Helsinki Chamber Choir and Uusinta Ensemble was honored with a Grammy for Best Choral Performance. Kaija Saariaho (14 October 1952 – 2 June 2023) is one of the world's most respected composers, and her works are actively performed around the world. Saariaho's publishers Chester Music and Edition Wilhelm Hansen (now Wise Music Group) have contributed to the international success of her works. The award was accepted by Kaija Saariaho's son Aleksi Barrière.

Aulis Sallinen, one of our most internationally respected opera composers, was awarded this year's Honorary Award. Sallinen's most famous works include the operas Ratsumies (1975), The Red Line (1978), The King Goes Forth to France (1983) and Kullervo (1988), which all have been internationally successful. Sallinen's list of works also includes a considerable amount of chamber music, orchestral works, concertos and eight symphonies. In addition to composing, Sallinen has taught at the Sibelius Academy and worked as the intendant of the Radio Symphony Orchestra.

The "Contemporary Composer of the Year" category was divided between large-scale and small-scale works. In the large-scale works’ category, composer Matthew Whittall was awarded for his work “Joy, for Organ and Orchestra”, published by Fennica Gehrman. In the small-scale works’ category, Lotta Wennäkoski won the award for her work “Flickereth for string quartet”, also published by Fennica Gehrman.

In the genre-free category of the year, Hannu Saha & Pakasteet won with their album Taas kerran, äkkiä (Bafe's Factory, 2023). The album is a combination of folk music tradition, hypnotic grooves and ambient soundscapes.

The biggest domestic hit of the past year, Mirella's single "Timanttei", was awarded as the song of the year. The song has streamed almost 30 million and held the local number one spot on Spotify for 48 days. The "Breakthrough of the Year” and “Pop Music Maker of the Year” awards were both presented to music producer Kim Mannila.

The aim of the Finnish Music Publishers awards is to highlight individual published works, composers and songwriters, and to promote the recognition and appreciation of music publishing.