Architecture inspired young composers
Hear this, I’m a composer! project produced nine new works by young composers
Hear this, I’m a composer! (Kuule, minä sävellän!) is a diverse educational project where children, young people and adults get the opportunity to compose for symphony orchestra instruments. They are supervised by professional composers, artists in various fields of art and students of different subject groups at the the Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki and a lecturer in music education.
In the academic year 2020–2021, the theme of the project was Curious Space and the compositions were inspired by architecture. The project was implemented in collaboration with Aalto University’s Department of Architecture, the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Musica Nova Music Festival.
The Listen, I’m Composing collaboration is based on the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers training program. In Finland, the project involves the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, the Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Helsinki Music Centre. The Kuule Ensemble, which consists of professional musicians from the collaborators, presents the new works to the public. Compositions performed through the project have already been performed in 13 concerts since 2011. Every year, there is a new perspective and a new target group in production.
The concert of the young composers was recorded at the Helsinki Music Centre in April 2021.
The following compositions were performed:
- Joel Asu: Cellphone
- Eva Ogbeide: Ihana yö
- Lydia Roos: The Story of the Book
- Arttu Aaltonen: The Fool’s Journey
- Aruleni Arunkumar: The Love Secret
- Michael Vo: Caterpillars
- Ruusu Ropponen: Unenomainen
- Silja Eskelinen: Auringonvalon kuvaus
- Tara Dudley: Hiljainen yö
Hear this, I’m a composer! is an educational project building on Very Young Composers, the original concept of composer, double bassist and New York Philharmonic Orchestra education expert Jon Deak. Deak was interested in Finnish music education and participatory artistic activities and suggested collaboration. A common philosophy was found, and Hear this, I’m a composer! was born.
More information
producer Tiina Halonen
the Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki
tiina.halonen@uniarts.fi