Teosto Prize nomination
From Commission to Nomination: The Story Behind Water
Back in the autumn of 2018, when the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned an orchestral work from us, we could never have guessed that five years later, in 2023, that same piece would become a nominee for the Teosto Prize!
When it comes to orchestral compositions, the timeline of events is always long—and due to the delays caused by the pandemic, this one became even longer.
Since 2003, the Teosto Prize has been one of the most significant art awards in the Nordic countries. It is presented annually to one or more Finnish musical works, with the aim of increasing the visibility of Finnish composers and supporting their creative work.
(Photo: Teosto / Jukka Mantere)
The Birth of Water
Our piece, Water, is a 20-minute orchestral work co-composed by Tapio Lappalainen and myself. It was commissioned by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered at the Tampere Biennale Festival in April 2022, conducted by Rebecca Tong.
Originally, the premiere was scheduled for the 2020 festival, but due to COVID-19, it was postponed by two years.
Water is the first part of our larger project addressing climate change, inspired by the four classical elements: earth, air, fire, and water. When we asked the orchestra which element might best fit their commission, they chose water—fittingly, as the Tammerkoski rapids have played such an important role in the city’s history.
The Meaning of Water
In Water, we aimed to capture the importance, fragility, beauty, and power of water. Having lived for sixteen years in the rural town of Haapajärvi, surrounded by farmer friends, we have witnessed firsthand how crucial the timing and amount of water are for agriculture. Seeds must be sown in dry soil, and then, throughout the growing season, there must be a steady supply of moisture.
The sea section of the piece reflects another perspective: the life of corals, now endangered by warming and pollution. During the composition process, we watched a documentary about coral reefs that showed breathtaking images—vibrant, multicolored corals glowing in the light. The scene was both beautiful and heartbreaking: it was the corals’ last “cry for help” before death. That cry became a key emotional moment in our music.
Water as an Instrument
We also used water itself as an instrument in several parts of the composition, especially in the lake and glacier sections. In one passage, instruments such as triangles, chimes, and glockenspiel bars are dipped into bowls of water immediately after being struck, producing a glissando effect as the sound bends.
In the glacier section, we used an ice cube containing a hydrophone (a water microphone). The performer scrapes and taps the ice cube rhythmically using a serrated lasagna spatula. The hydrophone captures the sounds from inside the ice and amplifies them for the audience—a literal voice of melting ice.
The Moment of the Nomination
I heard about the Teosto Prize nomination while driving from Oulu to Haapajärvi for a teaching session. When I got the call, someone asked if I’d managed to stay on the road. I replied, “Yes—but my eyes are completely blurry because I’m crying.” I pulled over into a rest area and called Tapio.
When Tapio heard the news, his first response was, “Shall we meet at the town square?” We did just that—held a quick photo session in the Haapajärvi square, and then went out to eat to celebrate our nomination.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We are deeply grateful for this Teosto Prize nomination. It’s been a long journey from that first commission in 2018 to this moment, but what a meaningful one it has been.
Thank you, Teosto!
