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What does democratic education look like from the perspective of music? In October 2015, the ArtsEqual research initiative was launched to survey equality in various branches of the arts. At its centre is Resonaari, a music institute leading by example to show what potential musicianship may be found in the margins of society.

"Mirja Mäkelä Trio’s My Hidden Joys is a beautifully crafted album which showcases both Mäkelä’s songwriting skills and her vocal prowess. "

"As expected, the Finnish-American jazz guitar hero does not brake a whole lot on eCsTaSy’s Out of the Blue. Raoul Björkenheim and his cohorts, Pauli Lyytinen (saxophones), Jori Huhtala (double bass) and Markku Ounaskari (drums), make sharp turns but never miss a corner."

Baroque violinist Kreeta-Maria Kentala combines on her recording her two strong areas of expertise, baroque and folk music, in a most innovative and fruitful way.

"Rautavaara's original output and considerable success serve to remind us of a principle of his that applies to all composers of whichever generation: Dare to be yourself in your music." Kalevi Aho writes about Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016).

"For some years jazz fusion (broadly defined) has seen something of a revival in Finland. Drummer and composer Mikko Hassinen’s new band and album Elektro GT evidently belongs in this rising stack."

Johan Tallgren’s FMQ guest column on Sibelius’s birthday, the Day of Finnish Music 2015.

"It is meaningless to select a ‘best’ recording when musicians have such different views of the same pieces of music, but I can say that you would be hard-pressed to find more satisfying performances anywhere else."