Classical music - thisisFINLAND

Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen gets Grammy for recording of Kaija Saariaho’s opera

Finnish conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen received a 2025 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording, with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra’s recording of Adriana Mater, a work by the late Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.

Arts & culture Music

Sounds like Finland: Capturing the country’s essence in music

What does a country sound like? Finland set out to answer this question by becoming the first nation in the world to create an official national soundscape. Plug in, press play and experience Finland – no plane ticket required.

Arts & culture Music

Passing the baton: 3 young star conductors from Finland

A fresh generation of youthful conductors from Finland is wowing audiences and orchestras around the world. Each of them has an individual approach and a love of contemporary music.

Arts & culture Webpick

Finnish composer Esa-Pekka Salonen to receive 2024 Polar Music Prize

Finnish composer and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen will be awarded the 2024 Polar Music Prize on May 21 in Stockholm, Sweden. The second recipient this year is long-time music-industry mainstay Nile Rodgers.

Arts & culture Music

Two Finnish musicians describe their country of crazy ideas

Finnish musicians Dalia Stasevska and Lauri Porra are a couple who enjoy breaking musical boundaries.

Arts & culture Music

Coaching conducting: Finland possesses prowess on the orchestral podium

The most prestigious orchestras in the world of classical music recruit young Finnish conductors. How does Finland achieve such success in this field?

Arts & culture Webpick

Sebastian Fagerlund – portrait of a composer from Europe in 2017

Composer Sebastian Fagerlund’s new opera Höstsonaten (Autumn Sonata) got its premiere at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.

Arts & culture Webpick

Folk meets baroque

Violinist Kreeta-Maria Kentala combines classical violin and folk fiddling on her solo album Side by Side (Alba Records, 2016). The album has won several prizes in Finland including the Classical Emma or “Finnish Grammy”.