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. 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:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LTGHgNZIJ_u_XJXdff21PXki4Uk7sYOM?usp=sharing
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