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The Turku City Theatre’s original musical depicts Touko Laaksonen’s artistic success while also addressing the painful history of homosexuals in Finland and celebrating difference, acceptance, love and sex.

Issues of gender balance, diversity and cultural appropriation have become increasingly prominent in many areas recently, and art music is no exception. Lauri Supponen discusses these issues, using certain Nordic contemporary music festivals and projects as case studies.

The Helsinki Chamber Choir is one of the best in its kind in the world these days.

"The standard of Baroque music performances in Finland continues to rise, and great ambition goes into both planning and performance."

The Finnish Baroque Orchestra (FiBO) emerged as a pioneer in its field in Finland. Now, this nimble ensemble is adopting a new, democratic leadership model. With two artistic planners and an executive director, the orchestra aims to become a tighter-knit team competent not only in performance but also in audience outreach.

Youthful energy and a pristine ‘60s jazz sound drive this second outing, with drummer Mooses Kuloniemi and guitarist Milo Mäkelä joined by stand-up bassist Jon Petterson since last year’s debut.

Displaying Mäkynen’s love for trad jazz and his roots in hip hop and sampling, Form is a calm and collected trip through uncharted territories.

Saxophonist and composer Eero Koivistoinen has honed his skills since the 60s, and it shouldn’t come as any surprise that his playing is superb. Still one cannot help thinking that he has reached a kind of a new plateau as a player.

As witnessed both on Verneri Pohjola’s Bullhorn and Aki Rissanen Trio’s Amorandom, the musicians breathe together in a magic way. And with Another North, they push the envelope of band ESP even further.