Permafrost World Premiere

Last week was the busiest week of my 2024 so far, including a performance of “Fretus” with Hyvinkää Orchestra, travelling to Kokkola and back, giving two lectures and being part of one panel discussion about equality in music, one press conference, the world premiere of my accordion concerto “Permafrost” and participating as a nominee in the Emma Gala (equivalent to “The Grammys” in Finland) for the first time! Quite a week!

It has been such a pleasure to bring “Permafrost” to this world! I got to work together with virtuoso accordionist Sonja Vertainen already in the compositional phase, I got to work with the amazing video artist Irene Suosalo in the past two month and last week got to work with the wonderful Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra and Jan Söderblom leading up to a superb premiere, which can be heard online on demand on Yle Areena until the 17th of March! It was wonderful to share such a large part of the journey with Sonja and Irene, finding people with whom you work easely closely together with, is a rare and valuable gift!

And what a reception and review Permafrost got! Anni Saari wrote in Keskipohjanmaa yesterday:

Top-notch at Kokkola Winter Accordion – “Permafrost” is a Supreme Masterpiece with Sonja Vertainen Shining as Soloist. The composition commissioned from Cecilia Damström by Kokkola Winter Accordion and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra stands out as a remarkable achievement from the composer.

Damström exhibits a remarkable command in handling the orchestra and exploring its sonic capabilities. At times, she seamlessly integrates the accordion into the string section, requiring meticulous focus to discern the origins of the sound. Naturally, the composition also allocates distinct solo segments for the accordion. In the second movement, Damström demonstrates the artistry of how a top-tier composer uses extended playing techniques: a tap of the wood side of the bow on the strings evokes imagery of a drop falling or a bubble bursting. The accordion has serene, heartrendingly beautiful, simple melodies in the tranquil second movement, melodies that one could listen to endlessly. And what an ending Damström presented!

Permafrost stands as a truly exquisite and masterful creation, impeccably crafted with no superfluous elements. Its accessibility is remarkable; making it a true pleasure to listen to. I dare say, it’s a musical gem that is bound to grace many stages in the years to come. The commission by Kokkola Winter Accordion and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra is an unsurpassed success!

The next morning after the premiere I headed straight back to Helsinki to the Emma Gala where Ville Hautakanga’s masterpiece album “12 Premieres” was nominated for the award “Classical Emma of the Year”. Was such a pleasure to be part of the gala and the afterparty! Congratulations to the Classical Emma Winner, the album Reconnaissance – Kaija Saariaho: Choral Music by Helsinki Chamber Choir & Nils Schweckendiek !

This week: time for Linda Suolahti’s Album Release Concert on Saturday at 6pm, including music by Leiviskä, Hannikainen and yours truly! Welcome! And next week my ICE will be performed by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Nicholas Collon! Welcome there as well!

Composer Cecilia Damström Photo by Jukka Lehojärvi for Keskipohjanmaa

Extinctions World Premiere

 It’s one week since the premiere of my “Extinctions” and I'm slowly recovering from this overwhelming experience. What a journey it has been! Four years ago, in the beginning of 2020 I received an email from Tuula Sarotie that the new chief conductor Nicholas Collon would like to commission a new work from me, and since then this piece has been growing inside me. I wanted to write a piece in one movement, and building a 22 minute arch was a new and wonderfully challenging experience. In composing it is possible to keep constantly evolving and trying out new things, and this is both the best about my job and at the same thing very nerve wracking, and you never know how it will work out. For instance, 5 days before the premiere I was changing some of the parts, because I had been slightly optimistic about how fast it would be possible to play, but we agreed with the musicians in question on 16-notes per second. The two rehearsals went very well and it was such a pleasure to get to work with both the wonderful Chloé Dufresne as well as the magnificent Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. I am so happy with everything!! This was also the first time a professional orchestra performed my music for a live audience in my hometown, so it was so nice to be able to share this moment with so many friends and family members and all the 1693 audience members in the hall (in addition to everyone who watched online).

Composer Cecilia Damström, Conductor Chloé Dufresne, Pianist Alexander Malofejev 26.1.2024

I was also so happy and honoured by all the wonderful reviews my new piece received!

“Damström has created a fascinating score, full of exciting sounds, captivating colors, and evocative orchestral effects. "Extinctions" represents Damström at her most modernist, simultaneously maintaining a highly expressive approach that is by no means devoid of dramatic pauses or tonal landmarks. The lion's share consists, in fact, of meditatively charged, almost mysteriously vibrating, and quietly probing passages, lending the few discharges all the more effective relief. This is a relatively rare case of imaginative tonal painting in domestic contexts, emphasizing the stark but dramatically resilient rather than the sensually inviting.” wrote Mats Liljeroos, Hufvudstadsbladet 28.1.2024

“Damström's music is like a spontaneously ignited and rich soundscape of life. If her Teosto Award-winning composition "ICE" in 2022 reflects the ethereal soundscape of icebergs, "Extinctions" is characterized by the earth's resonant rumble.

The composition cleverly utilizes different instrumental groups and colors in depicting evolution, from dense strings in the forest to the clarinets' erratic frogs and the Jurassic brass. Pressure waves and dust clouds come to life in the percussion section.

The music is colorful and visual but never merely illustrative. The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra executed the piece excellently under the confident direction of Chloé Dufresne.” wrote Nuppu Koivisto in Helsingin Sanomat 28.1.2024

And Jari Kallio wrote in “Adventures in Music” following: “A gorgeous rendition from the orchestra and Dufresne, Extinctions was given a flying start upon its premiere. Regarding the overall organic form, Damström’s orchestral designs bear some family relationships with those by Anna Thorvaldsdottir – without imitation – whereas her way of leading each instrument their own sonic narratives is something quite unique. Figurative without resorting to mere Mickey Mousing, Damström’s scoring serves as story-teller par excellence, as resoundingly demonstrated by the inspired accounts of the FRSO players. Shaped and balanced with keen attention and organic sensitivity by Dufresne, Extinctions was received with rousing enthusiasm by the sold-out hall.”

Thank You once again to everyone who came and listened! And for anyone who still wants to hear it, you can find the concert including a live interview and the premiere, here:

https://areena.yle.fi/1-67584262

Composer Cecilia Damström and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra 26.1.2024

Infirmus with Tapiola Sinfonietta

The new year has sadly begun with some cancellations but this week I’m super happy about making my debut with Tapiola Sinfonietta and the fantastic Tabita Berglund on Friday! The concert will unfortunately not be able to have an audience this time, but I’m super happy my piece Infirmus from 2015 will finally get it’s radio debut with the Finnish Radio Yle.

Welcome to listen live to the radio premiere of Infirmus on Friday the 14th at 7PM Finnish Time (UTC+2) and will be available for 30 days after as well!

Photo by the fantastic Maria Svidryk for Internationales Künstlerhaus Villa Concordia

Recording Minna with RSO

 Two days of recording DONE! Feeling super happy to have been given the opportunity to record my piece “Minna-Pictures from the Life of Minna Canth” with the amazing musicians from the Radio Symphony Orchestra ! This was my first “Kantanauha” (“Archiv Recording") EVER! 🤩 

Feels also special that such an amazing experience was my last “in person” event here in Finland for a while! Because *drumroll for announcement* in three weeks I will be moving to GERMANY for a one year artistic residency in Bamberg (Bavaria)!! 🤩

Composer Cecilia Damström

So if you know anybody who would like to rent my furnished two-room flat in Helsinki (Taka-Töölö) from May to March, let me know! 😅

Two Premieres This Week

Monday, the beginning of a exciting week and also an exciting month! This week two world premieres, 20 minutes each!

Both are also going to be live streamed, so no need to risk getting Covid19 even if you want to hear it! If you can’t go to the music, music will come to you instead! 😍

Friday it’s the fifth anniversary of the amazing Kokonainen Festival! At this years festival my latest piano quintet “Helene - Nuances from the life of Helene Schjerfbeck” for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano will get it’s world premiere.

It will be performed by the amazing musicians Heli Haapala (principal flute in Lapland Chamber Orchestra ), Kristiina Salmi (oboist at the Finnish National Opera), Pekka Niskanen (principal clarinet at the Lapland Chamber Orchestra ), Jaakko Luoma (solo bassoonist at Tapiola Sinfonietta) and Doctor of Music Tiina Karakorpi! Friday 1PM in Janakkala Church .

On Sunday at the final concert of Pellinge Musikdagar my new song cycle “Framtidens skugga” to texts by Edit Södergran will get its world premiere at 3PM! It will be performed by the legendary world known mezzo soprano Monica Groop accompanied by the also highly acclaimed pianist Juhani Lagerspetz, both also professors at the Sibelius Academy.

Big thank you to all the grants that have made the making of these pieces as well as the performances of them possible! Thank you Taike for supporting “Helene” to come to life as well as The Finnish Cultural Foundation for supporting both my work as well as the wonderful Kokonainen Festival! Thank you Majaojasäätiö for supporting the work of writing the new song cycle “Framtidens skugga” and Svenska Kulturfonden for supporting the beautiful festival “Pellinge Musikdagar 6-9.8”. Thank you Yle Klassinen for broadcasting these events!

Wishing you all a great week as well! 😘🌸

Photo from 2018 by the one and only Marthe Veian

August Concerts 2020

New week, new project! Was great to take four days off and just enjoy the Finnish archipelago! 😎🌸Now looking forward to be working on a new orchestra piece for the first time since over two years! Oh, and August is soon here with four super exciting concerts including my music!

•7.8.2020 World Premiere of my new 20 minute Quintet “Helene - Nuances from the Life of Helene Schjerfbeck” at the superb Kokonainen Festival

•9.8.2020 World Premiere of my new 20 minute song cycle “Framtidens skugga” for Monica Groop at her festival Pellinge Musikdagar Pellingin Musiikkipäivät

•25.8.2020 My 30 minute “Requiem for our Earth” for choir, tape, light and video projection will be performed at this years UNM Tampere 2020: Music Ecology Festival in Tampere, being one of the representatives for Finland

•29.8.2020 My first and second Piano Quintets “Minna - Pictures from the Life of Minna Canth” and “Aino - Emotions from the Life of Aino Sibelius” will be performed at Tallinn Music Week 2020 by the amazing group TampereRaw .

Fingers crossed that Covid19 doesn’t come and postpones all the fun once again!

Quintet "Minna" on the Radio again

Last March my first Piano Quintet "Minna - Pictures from the Life of Minna Canth" was performed by the amazing musicians of TampereRaw! It was broadcast back then  by the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle. The radio programme "Aikamme suomalaista musiikkia" ("Finnish music of our time") is playing the recording in their latest program, so it is again online and can now be streamed all around the world for the next month! A presentation of Minna (in Finnish) begins at about 8:25 min and the actual piece begins at 11:50 min. Have a listen!

The program also contains pieces by my talented colleagues Jennah Vainio and Veli Kujala. For Finnish speaking friends I recommend you to listen to the very interesting commentary by the composer Aki Yli-Salomäki! 

Find the program online by clicking here!

Photo by Marthe Veian

My Quintet "Minna" on the Radio

One week ago on the 24th of March my first Piano Quintet "Minna - Pictures from the Life of Minna Canth" was performed by the amazing musicians of TampereRaw! On Thursday the 28th of March it was radio broadcast by the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yle and can now be heard all around the world for the next month! Minna begins at about 7:20 min, the concert also contains pieces by my dear colleagues Lotta Wennäkoski and Minna Leinonen, which are conducted by the wonderful Maria Itkonen. For Finnish speaking friends I can also recommend you to listen to the very interesting commentary by Kaarina Hazard! Find the program online by clicking here!

Radio recommendation: Ajassa soi

I was asked by Ainomaija Pennanen if I would like to recommend a contemporary piece of music for the radio program Ajassa soi. I chose Voice verser, one of the first piece I heard live (in Tampere) by one of my favourite composers Jukka Tiensuu. 

The program is available world wide for one month, so I warmly recommend all my friends around the globe to have a listen to Voice verser, starting at about 7:20 min though clicking here.

A picture of Jukka Tiensuu which I took at Sävellyspaja 2011, Finland.

Talking about "Note" in Radio Vega

Last week's Friday I talked with Kike Bertell and Eva Kela about the etymology of the word "note" and random thoughts around that word in the radio channel Vega (a Swedish speaking channel) in the Finnish Radio. It was aired on yesterday (on Sunday) and is available until the 27th of February. Have a listen (in Swedish) under this link.  And have a great week everyone! 

Eva Kela, Kike Bertell and me at Radio Vega in the program "Ordet läcker"

A Radio Interview and Secondhand Shopping

Monday May 12th. Headed of at 12 towards the studio of Radio Classic where Inkeri Pyylampi interviewed me. I was very nervous about the interview, as Finnish anyway is my fourth language, and when I’m nervous I tend to forget words, and speak too fast. So I tried to warm up my voice, do some qigong meditation and concentrate on speaking slow and calmly in the interview.

The interview went quite alright (although I forgot the word “talent” but managed to say it in some other way). It can be listened online on Radio Classic’s soundcloud by clicking here (but sorry, only in Finnish).

I have been thinking a lot about what I want my concert to look like. I like pretty and fancy clothes and have asked all my musicians to put on an evening dress, but don’t own one my self at the moment… As I still didn’t know what I was going to wear on my concert in two days time, I decided to go shopping. But because I have used up my “student money” and didn’t get any money this month, I’m as broke as ever, so I can’t afford anything new. So I went secondhand shopping. To SEVEN different secondhand stores!

So I started at the secondhand (chain) store  Fida on Tammelan puistokatu 37, but found nothing. Then I dropped by Seppälä (a normal store (not secondhand) which isn’t super expensive) but didn’t either find anything I liked. I headed to UFF. They had sales and almost all items were 4 euros each. I found a petrol colored evening dress, which is the perfect color for me, but the dress was too big. I bought it anyway (for a total of 8 euros) just incase I wouldn’t find anything else, then I could at least sew the whole night and make it fit… But luckily I didn’t have to do that!

After UFF I went to Radiokirppis, which usually is very good, but I didn’t find any evening dress there. Instead I found three blazers (a pink, a black and a beige one, all in my size, and cost together only 30 euros) which also made me happy, but not useful for the concert on Wednesday! But I bought them anyway…

My three new blazers from Radiokirppis
for all together 30€!

After this I went to the secondhand (chain) shop Pelastusarmeija on Puutarhakatu 20, but didn’t find anything there. Then I went to Fida on Kuninkaankatu 22 and there I found a purple evening dress for 12 euros! It was quite nice but had a very open back, which wouldn’t look so good while I am conducting (because I would look half naked from behind).

So I couldn’t resist my self and went into a last secondhand shop, Pelastusarmeija on Satakunnankatu 27, and there it was: the perfect dress! Darkblue, right size, long enough, elegant enough, simply perfect for me in every way! It was the most expensive one though, 45 euros, but totally worth it! (Especially considering my timetable!)

After this enormous shopping round I brought everything home and started writing my programme booklet for the concert and ate. At 21 o’clock I headed to the conservatory for a rehearsal of my piece “Flying high”. We got to rehearse in the actual concert venue (Pyynikkisali), which was nice! The clarinetist Andreas Heino had his Zoom recorder with him, so we recorded the session and listened to it straight away, which was very good because the oboist Heikki Pöyhönen came with many good remarks about how to improve the balance between the instruments.

After the rehearsal I asked if the flutist Jenni Halonen would have time to stay and help me test the microphone for the electronics in my pieces “Der Wald” and “Die Berge”, and she was so nice and stayed for a long while. Unfortunately the sound technician Petrus Tuisku and I didn’t manage to get my Max MSP patch to work this evening, or that is to say; we didn’t manage to get the microphone sound in to nor out of the patch, so it was impossible to say if anything was working. After a while I just told Jenni she could go home, because it didn’t seem like we would get it working tonight, and right I was (unfortunately). We tried together with Petrus to figure out what was wrong until 23:30, but then the alarms go on and you have to be out of the building.

At midnight when I came home I continued to write my programme  booklet for the concert. As always I can’t do it the “easy way”, because it’s simply not me, so I have chosen to have almost all texts in Finnish, Swedish and English. (Finnish for the large audience, Swedish for my identity of a Swedish speaking Finn and for showing people in this Finnish region that Swedish is actually a used language, and English because I know a lot of people who don’t speak Finnish nor Swedish). At around 4 AM I decided to go to bed, even though the programme booklet isn’t close to ready yet…