Music Finland’s Arctic Paradise Contemporary gathered international contemporary music professionals to network with their Finnish counterparts in Helsinki. The event was held in Helsinki between February 1–4, 2019.

Music Finland’s  tailored networking and showcase event Arctic Paradise Contemporary brought a selection of international guests to mingle with Finnish professionals in the contemporary classical music field. The event was a showcase for new Finnish musical talent, with ensembles, musicians and composers performing and helped professionals build new international networks.

The three lovely days included concerts, networking, panel discussions and other activities in wintery Helsinki. Music Finland brought a group of 14 international gatekeepers to the event: artistic directors and managing directors of festivals and ensembles, music publishers and conductors.

The musical part of the event consisted of  a showcase concert programme and Musica nova Helsinki concerts. The event provided a comprehensive picture of the most interesting contemporary music in Finland today, enabled new international partnerships and networks, and strengthened the internationalization and renown of Finnish contemporary music professionals.

Watch the aftermovie from Arctic Paradise Contemporary:

The aftermovie contains improvised music by Tölöläb and "Wind, Rain, Snow, Sun" by Olavi Louhivuori.

Performers at Arctic Paradise Contemporary:

• Bravade
• defunensemble, Tapani Rinne and Tuomas Norvio
• Finnish Baroque Orchestra
• Tommi Hyytinen, natural horn
• Elisa Järvi, quarter-tone piano
• Petri Kumela, guitar and Tuuli Lindeberg, soprano
• Olavi Louhivuori, percussion, Joonas Ahonen, piano and Emil Holmström, piano
• Juulia Pölönen, kantele
• Lauri Sallinen, clarinet
• Tölöläb
• Uusinta ensemble

Composers at Arctic Paradise Contemporary:

• Antti Auvinen
• Sampo Haapamäki
• Jarkko Hartikainen
• Sid Hille
• Sebastian Hilli
• Minna Leinonen
• Lauri Mäntysaari
• Tuomas Norvio
• Juhani Nuorvala
• Hannu Pohjannoro
• Tapani Rinne
• Lauri Supponen
• Outi Tarkiainen
• Jukka Tiensuu

International guests at Arctic Paradise Contemporary:

• Anna Berit Asp Christensen, SPOR Festival (DK)
• Erik Enström, Norrbotten Neo (SWE)
• Sabine Franz, Ensemble Recherche, (GER)
• Björn Gottstein, Donaueschinger Musiktage, (GER)
• Anneke Jansen, Asko/Schönberg Ensemble (NL)
• Christian Karlsen, kapellimestari (NL/SWE)
• Trine Boje Mortensen, Edition Wilhelm Hansen (DK)
• Oliver Rappoport, Festival Mixtur Barcelona (ESP)
• Tobias Rempe, Ensemble Resonanz (GER)
• Bert Palinckx, November Music (NL)
• Michelle Castelletti, Oxford Festival of the Arts (UK)
• Christos Carras, Onassis Cultural Center (GRE)
• Neva Elliott and Kate Ellis, Crash Ensemble (IRL)