Stories by

"This is one of the most satisfying organ CDs to come my way in a while: leaved through preludes and fugues by Buxtehude and Bach (given performances with plenty of energy and impetus) are four passacaglias (or chaconnes – nearly the same thing) by four of Finland’s leading composers, none of whom is known for organ music...

"Manala, named after the Finnish word for the underworld, is dependably epic and anthemic, offering a nonstop barrage of the kind of metal that makes men and women, brothers- and sisters-in-arms feel like hoisting their flagons and calling for more ale...

"Laitinen flexes his vocals to varied roles, portraying the whole spectrum of emotions: humour, jealousy, love, sadness, smugness, weakness, cruelty and the feeling of abandonment. As the ballads open a window into humanity, you forget the theme of murder...

The music of Esa-Pekka Salonen is like top design. It is controlled, streamlined, intelligent and functional – a pleasure, in other words...

"Kalima’s music contains only few pieces that can be hummed or even memorized. Rather, we are talking of a rich sound palette within an intricate weave of intertwined sounds.

The music of composer Sebastian Fagerlund has always been characterised by an energetic and effortless forward motion. In recent years, his career has likewise gone full speed ahead.

Armas Järnefelt is today principally known for two lovely miniatures: Preludi and Berceuse. Yet he was the composer of several extensive works who introduced a new, Wagnerian voice into Finnish music.

Kjell Westö is an award-winning author whose books have been translated into several languages. But really he would like to be a musician. His historical novels are brimming with music, describing the arrival of jazz and rock in Finland.

Conductor Susanna Mälkki is becoming bigger and bigger in Paris. And she is still only 41-years of age. Barely a grown-up in the masculine and patriarchic world of conducting.