Special Issue

Grief

Published

September 29, 2023

The third FMQ Special Feature of 2023 explores the intricate relationship between music and grief. The expression – or experience – of grief through music can follow highly normative and ritualized paths, but it can also take freer forms, seeking to push the boundaries that society imposes on how we should experience it. We find ourselves traversing a realm where emotions and sounds converge, offering a space to encounter grief in its versatility. This space can comprise feelings of solace, understanding, and connection – but it can also amplify the experience by bringing difficult emotions closer to us.

by

Jari Kallio

,

Amanda Kauranne

,

Lasse Lehtonen

,

Loviisa Pihlakoski

,

Patrik Stenström

,

It may be clichéd to note that music is an exceptionally powerful medium for channeling strong emotions, but this cliché certainly underscores its validity when one encounters a profoundly human emotion: grief. The expression – or experience – of grief through music can follow highly normative and ritualized paths, especially during occasions like funerals. However, it can also take freer forms, seeking to push the boundaries and norms that society typically imposes on how we should experience grief.

The Special Feature 3/2023 Editorial: Musical mappings of grief

The Special Feature 3/2023 Editorial: Musical mappings of grief

It may be clichéd to note that music is an exceptionally powerful medium for channeling strong emotions, but this cliché certainly underscores its validity when one encounters a profoundly human emotion: grief. The expression – or experience – of grief through music can follow highly normative and ritualized paths, especially during occasions like funerals. However, it can also take freer forms, seeking to push the boundaries and norms that society typically imposes on how we should experience grief.

Lasse Lehtonen

September 29, 2023

When the phone rings, church musician Hanna Seppänen answers and listens attentively. Experience has taught her to identify the stage of the caller’s grieving process. Sensitivity is required. Seppänen listens to the caller’s wishes and considers how to best respond to them. Seppänen’s job description is quite exceptional: she works as a funeral musician.

Funeral music as a profession – “Grief is a sign of love”

Funeral music as a profession – “Grief is a sign of love”

When the phone rings, church musician Hanna Seppänen answers and listens attentively. Experience has taught her to identify the stage of the caller’s grieving process. Sensitivity is required. Seppänen listens to the caller’s wishes and considers how to best respond to them. Seppänen’s job description is quite exceptional: she works as a funeral musician.

Loviisa Pihlakoski

September 29, 2023

Music can help both terminal patients and their family members in the process of saying goodbye. This is well known to Emma von Weissenberg, a Finnish music therapist who studied in the USA and used to work with patients in hospice care.

Bidding farewell with music - Hospice care in the United States

Bidding farewell with music - Hospice care in the United States

Music can help both terminal patients and their family members in the process of saying goodbye. This is well known to Emma von Weissenberg, a Finnish music therapist who studied in the USA and used to work with patients in hospice care.

Patrik Stenström

September 15, 2023

Can music engender sorrow or comfort? Is there (a) space for grief? Emmi Kuittinen, who delves into the world of traditional laments and folk poetry for inspiration, and musician/scholar Astrid Swan, who studies grief as a personal and a transgenerational phenomenon, make music out of grief that is not as sad as one might expect.

Interpreters of grief

Interpreters of grief

Can music engender sorrow or comfort? Is there (a) space for grief? Emmi Kuittinen, who delves into the world of traditional laments and folk poetry for inspiration, and musician/scholar Astrid Swan, who studies grief as a personal and a transgenerational phenomenon, make music out of grief that is not as sad as one might expect.

Amanda Kauranne

September 29, 2023

Kaija Saariaho’s last work, trumpet concerto HUSH, was premiered by jazz trumpetist Verneri Pohjola and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in late August 2023. “Living and breathing together throughout the 65e-page score, the musicians and the fully packed audience were joined in musical ritual of rare depth and transformative beauty”, writes Jari Kallio.

And ink the silence – Saariaho’s HUSH given a world premiere of flickering intensity at the Helsinki Festival

And ink the silence – Saariaho’s HUSH given a world premiere of flickering intensity at the Helsinki Festival

Kaija Saariaho’s last work, trumpet concerto HUSH, was premiered by jazz trumpetist Verneri Pohjola and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in late August 2023. “Living and breathing together throughout the 65e-page score, the musicians and the fully packed audience were joined in musical ritual of rare depth and transformative beauty”, writes Jari Kallio.

Jari Kallio

September 22, 2023

In this article, fellow composers reminisce about the late Kaija Saariaho as a person and artist.

Finnish composers remember Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023)

Finnish composers remember Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023)

In this article, fellow composers reminisce about the late Kaija Saariaho as a person and artist.

Lasse Lehtonen

June 21, 2023

Translation

Featured photo

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