Biography
Performances
Ahvenjärvi's compositions have been performed by the Oulu Symphony, Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg, The Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, TampereRaw, Northern Opera Company, Duo Gelland, Stadler Quartett of OENM, Arctos Ensemble, Koiteli Collective and Bodø Sinfonietta among others.
Works of Ahvenjärvi have been performed in many festivals in Austria, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand, Malaysia, Faroe Islands, U.S.A., Germany, Serbia, Hungary, Russia and Switzerland, for example ISCM (New Zealand), Stockholm New Music and Båstad Kammarmusik (Sweden), Tage für Neue Musik in Zürich (Switzerland), Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu and Musica Nova (Finland), stART (Austria) and GegenWelten (Germany). Her portrait concerts has been held in Salzburg and in Heidelberg.
Commissions
Tampere Philharmonic, Oulu Symphony, Arpa GRAZiosa Festival, Chamber Opera Association Atlantis, Passauer Saiten Festival, Salzburg Society for Music, Foundation Donne in Musica, October of New Music Festival, Haapavesi Chamber Orchestra, Trio Trecolor, Ville Hautakangas, Jokilaaksot Music Institute, Lapland Music Institute, Kristiina Penttinen, Duo Gelland, Women’s Choir Välke, Duo Lappalainen, Oulu Suzuki School.
Prizes, Grants and Scholarships
Teosto Prize 2023
The symphony orchestra composition " Water", co-composed with Tapio Lappalainen, won the Teosto Prize in 2023. The work was commissioned by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered at the Tampere Biennale 2022 Festival with Rebecca Tong as conductor.
The Cultural Award of the City of Haapajärvi 2019
She has got Grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Music Finland, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Art Committee of Province of Oulu, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Sibelius –Foundation of the Society of Finnish Composers, the Madetoja Foundation and the Culture Ministrys of Luxembourg and Austria among others. Sanna Ahvenjärvi was a Composer-in-Residence in “Kommandantenhaus der Bergfeste Dilsberg” in Germany.
Memberships
Board member of Society of Finnish Composers, 2020-2026
Chair of society of contemporary music October (Nykymusiikkiseura Lokakuu), 2023->
Finnish Music Council – Working Group for Music Education and Training, 2023–>
Member of the “Ääneni Äärelle” Composition Pedagogy Working Group of the Society of Finnish Composers 2018-2022
Association of Music Theory and Solfeggio Teachers (MUTES ry), 2010–2015
Releases
Fingers to the Bone by Sanna Ahvenjärvi was released on a CD, Duo Gelland: Violin Duos vol.4, by Nosag -recording company 2011.
She was a member of The Society of Finnish Composersґ "composition curriculum” -group and a member of a group, which created the www.opus1.fi -website. The www.opus1.fi website is a databank about composition pedagogy materials.
An article about composition education for children and youth written by Ahvenjärvi was released in a pedagogical book “Säveltäjäksi kasvattaminen” 2013 by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
"Bußetuende Zitrusseife", a joint composition by Sanna Ahvenjärvi and Tapio Lappalainen, text: Veronika Aschenbrenner, released on Pimeän lumo / Northern Voices Extreme -CD and digital distribution platforms 2026. "Bußetuende Zitrusseife" was recorded and mixed by Tapio Lappalainen and mastered by Janne Huotari. Distribution by Fuga Oy.
Studies
Master of Music / Composition
Universität Mozarteum Salzburg, 2005
Composition professor Adriana Hölszky
Postgraduate Diploma in Music Theory and Solfeggio
Oulu Conservatory, 2002
Composition teacher Valkama
Diploma in Music Theory and Solfeggio
Oulu Conservatory, 2000
Composition teacher Valkama
Other composition studies
Conservatoire de la ville de Luxembourg / Alexander Müllenbach (2002)
Darmstädter Ferienkurse / Enno Poppe, Mark André (2006)
Darmstädter Ferienkurse / Toshio Hosokawa and Brian Ferneyhough (2004)
Time of Music, Viitasaari / Helmut Lachenmann (1998)
Time of Music, Viitasaari / Esa-Pekka Salonen and James Clarke (2000)
Komponistmöte Nordkalotten, Piteå / Rolf Martinsson and Jan Sandström (2001)
Komponistmöte Nordkalotten, Oulu / Jouni Kaipainen (2002)
Komponistmöte Nordkalotten, Färöarna / Olav-Anton Thommesen (2003)
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Hiekkasilmä / Sand Eye (2014–2024)
Librettist & Director — Jenni Kinnunen
Set, Costume & Graphic Design — Julia Quante
Helene — Johanna Nylund
Ruut — Emma Mustaniemi
Isak — Joel Alalantela
Répétiteur & Keys — Laura Heikkilä
Violin — Hanna Parviainen
Clarinet — Pekka Niskanen
Percussions — Hsiao-Tung Yuan
Sound Engineer — Tapio Lappalainen
Hair & Make-up — Melina Matinlompolo
Cinematographer & Trailer — Sami Mustonen
Photographer — Maiju Pohjanheimo
Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Oulu, Finland
October 4th 2024
October 5th 2024
October 6th 2024Water (2019–2020)
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
for symphony orchestra
Oulu Symphony
André de Ridder, conductor
Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Oulu, Finland
October 5th 2023Revontuulet (2004–2005)
for youth orchestra
Pirkanmaan Nuoret Sinfonikot
Anna-Leena Lumme, conductor
February 22nd 2023, Pirkkala
February 23rd 2023, YlöjärviBußetuende Zitrusseife (2019)
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
text: Veronika Aschenbrenner
for soprano, flute, guitar and violoncello
Meeri Pulakka, soprano
Martta Jämsä, flute
Janne Malinen, guitar
Pekka Smolander, violoncello
Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -Festival, Oulu, Finland
October 5th 2022Neliniminen nainen
Text: Jenni Kinnunen
for soprano and guitar
Suvi Väyrynen, soprano
Yvonne Zehner, guitar
Aalborg, Denmark
August 28th 2022No Piece by Violance
for solo viola
Mark Menzies, viola
ISCM World New Music Days -Festival, Auckland, New Zealand
August 26th 2022Water (2019–2020)
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
for symphony orchestra
Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Rebecca Tong, conductor
Tampere Biennale -Festival, Tampere, Finland
April 8th 2022 (premiere)Mental proximity (2020)
Art of Virus -”chain composition”
for big band
Modern Art Orchestra
Budapest, Hungary
January 16th 2022 (stage premiere)Ikirouta (2020)
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
for flute, guitar, violoncello and electronics
Arctos Ensemble
Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festivaali, Oulu, Finland
October 6th 2020Juoksen perässäsi elämä (2020)
text Elina Salminen
for violin, bass clarinet and piano
Trio Trecolor
Haapajärvi, Finland
September 12th 2020 (premiere)
Pyhäjärvi, Finland
September 13th 2020Bußetuende Zitrusseife (2019)
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
text: Veronika Aschenbrenner
for soprano, flute, guitar and violoncello
Alexandra Lambert-Raschké, soprano
Vera Klug, flute
Yvonne Zehner, guitar
Chih-Hui Chang, violoncello
SOLITÄR im Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria
June 16th, 2019 (premier)
http://www.literaturhaus-salzburg.at/content.php?i...
http://www.sgfm.at/komponistenJubileum (2018)
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
for large orchestra and choir
Jokilaaksot Music Institute Jubileum Orchestra
Janne Jääskelä, conductor
Merkurius Hall, Oulainen, Finland
November 10th, 2018 (premier)
https://www.facebook.com/events/oulaistenmusiikkiv…Kehtolaulu / Lullaby (2005/2017)
for chamber orchestra
TampereRaw Ensemble
Tuomas Turriago, conductor
Tampere, Finland
October 20th 2017
http://www.tampereraw.fi/index.php?page=konserttik…Tämänkin hämärän
for soprano and chamber orchestra (Text: Pablo Neruda)
Saara-Maija Strandman, mezzo soprano
Haapavesi Chamber Orchestra (HAKO)
Haapavesi Finland
June 30th 2017
http://www.haapavesifolk.com/2018/portfolio-item/h…Songs of Life and Death
Annemari Moilanen, mezzo soprano
Musicians from Oulu Symphony
Oulu Finland (premiere)
May 4th 2016
Chamber music concert of Oulu SymphonyRakennetaan koulu! -chamber opera
Chamber Opera (composed together with Tapio Lappalainen)
The students of Valteri Onerva School
Paavo Nisula, baritone
Jyväskylä Sinfonia String Quartett
April 19th 2016Neliniminen nainen
Suvi Väyrynen, soprano
Yvonne Zehner, guitar
Passauer Saiten -Festival, Passau, Germany
March 6th 2016 (premiere)
Passauer Saiten -FestivalFingers to the Bone (2004)
for two violins
Duo Gelland:
Martin Gelland, violin
Cecilia Gelland, violin
Minneapolis, U.S.A.
October 24th 2014Rakennetaan koulu!
composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
Chamber Opera composed together with Tapio Lappalainen
The students of Onerva Mäki School
Paavo Nisula, baritone
Academus String Quartet (JAMK - University of Applied Sciences)
April 16th 2014, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland
April 15th 2014, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland
April 10th 2014, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland
April 9th 2014, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland
April 8th 2014, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland (premiere)
Rakennetaan koulu! - news at YLE Finnish Broadcasting Company
Rakennetaan koulu! - Article in Helsingin Sanomat
Rakennetaan koulu! - article in Keskisuomalainen
Rakennetaan Koulu! - Article in Helsingin Sanomat news paper (14.4.2014)Miracle Overture for symphony orchestra
for symphony orchestra
Oulu Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing, conductor
UML -Festival, Oulu, Finland
October 14th 2011Miracle Overture
for symphony orchestra
Oulu Symphony
Anna-Maria Helsing, conductor
Oulu, Finland
September 15th 2011Kadonneiden aivojen metsästys
for percussion trio
Oulu Percussion Group:
Tuomo Orvakangas
Antti Ohenoja
Jani Niinimäki
UML-Festival, Oulu, Finland
November 14th 2009 (premiere)Störungen (2003–2005)
for symphony orchestra
Oulu Symphony
Eduardo Moguillansky, conductor
Oulu, Finland
October 14th 2005Störungen (2003–2005)
for symphony orchestra
Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg
Eduardo Moguillansky, conductor
Salzburg, Austria, June 12th 2005
Salzburg, Austria, June 11th 2005 (premiere)No Piece by Violance (2002–2003)
for solo viola
Barbara Maurer (Ensemble Recherche), viola
Gegenwelten –Festival, Heidelberg, Germany
June 12th 2005Revontuulet (2004–2005)
for youth orchestra
Lapland Music School Orchestra
Kristiina Penttinen, conductor
Rovaniemi, Finland
May 11th 2005String Quartet No.1 (1998–2000)
Stadler Quartett von OENM:
Frank Stadler, violin
Izso Bajusz, violin
Predrag Katanic, viola
Peter Sigl, cello
stART -Festival, Salzburg, Austria
April 15th 2005No Piece by Violance (2002–2003)
for solo Viola
Marie Teresa Nawara, viola
Salzburg, Austria
May 30th 2003Composition for Windquintet (2002/2003)
Windquintet from Oulu Symphony and Oulu Conservatory
Oulu, Finland
November 15th 2002 (premiere)String Quartet No.1 (1998–2000)
Bodö Sinfonietta String Quartet
Björn Andor Drage, conductor
Oulu, Finland
November 11th 2002 (premiere)Tämänkin Hämärän (1997–1998)
for soprano and chamber orchestra
Oulu Symphony
Virve Karén, soprano
Juha Nikkola, conductor
Oulu, Finland
February 19th 1999 (premiere)
Teaching Experience
Since 2008 Ahvenjärvi has been teaching music theory, solfeggio and composition at the Jokilaaksot Music Institute (Jokilaaksojen musiikkiopisto). She has held composition workshops and worked as an instructor in the field of composition education for children and youth in over 20 music institutes across Finland
"A child's composition should be allowed to sound like a child's composition"
- Ahvenjärvi's philosophical point of view in composition pedagogy
Instructor of composition pedagogy in the following projects and seminars:
pedagogical working group ”Ääneni äärelle” of The Society of Finnish Composers
a member of The Society of Finnish Composers´ "composition curriculum” -team
a member of the team which created the composition pedagogy materials databank www.opus1.fi -website
pedagogical seminar at the Nordic Music Days 2021 at the Faroe Islands
Muuttuva musiikin teoria -seminars (Sibelius-Academy & Metropolia University of Applied Sciences)
FiSME-seminars
MUTES -seminars (Association of Finnish Music Schools & Mutes ry)
Instructor of composition pedagogy in the following institutions:
The University of the Arts Helsinki / Sibelius-Academy, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Viitasaaren seudun musiikkiopisto, Wellamo-opisto, Lapin musiikkiopisto, Kainuun musiikkiopisto, Koillis-Lapin musiikkiopisto, Raahen musiikkiopisto, Virta-opisto
Composition workshops in the following music schools and institutions:
Landesmusikschule Münzkirchen, Koillis-Lapin musiikkiopisto, Lapin musiikkiopisto, Oulun konservatorio, Merikanto-opisto, Mäntykankaan koulun musiikkiluokat, Raahen musiikkiopisto, Viitasaaren seudun musiikkiopisto, Ylivieskan seudun musiikkiopisto and Ylä-Savon musiikkiopisto.