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A new book and a forthcoming doctoral dissertation give us a fascinating insight into the culture of DJs and DJing in Finland.

The tango arrived in Finland during the great European tango fever of 1911—1913. Eventually in the 1930s Finns really started composing tangos themselves, which led to a form of the tango that is only a distant relative of its Argentinean counterpart. These days many composers look back to South America for tango inspiration.

"His organic music does not form (or grow) in a closed greenhouse, but always in an empathic connection to a wider world, nature and culture. These works are, in a unique way, interestingly novel and strangely familiar at the same time."

"A new Finnish research project is seeking to shed more light on the biological background to musical aptitude. A pioneering study at international level, it aims to understand the biology and evolution of human cognitive functions in music."

Playing it safe and following others was never an option for Eicca Toppinen. When faced with a career crossroads before reaching his twenties, he chose the unknown. And the unlikely international metal success story Apocalyptica was born.

The turn of the 20th century is conventionally referred to as the era when the national musical culture of Finland was born. On closer inspection, however, we find its roots in the transnational context of general European art music, which also included the popular music of the day.

Asko, P-K and Espe of 22-Pistepirkko have been playing music together for over 30 years - it's an achievement any band could be proud of. Over these years they've made Finnish alternative rock history and gained a sizable community of fans all over Europe.

"Although I am not a string player myself, the string quartet is inextricably intertwined with my early musical life. Later on, my own string quartets, which appeared regularly at intervals of exactly 10 years, became milestones in my private and working life."

Two new concert series have added a welcome, broader dimension to the Helsinki contemporary- music scene. Ensembles, musicians and composers are performing new music from Finland and elsewhere.