Upcoming events
Leipzig
On December 15 at 5 p.m., the Lucia Concert will take place once again in the Peterskirche in Leipzig.
Many enthusiastic listeners come to the church during the Advent season to enjoy the Nordic sounds and to see Lucia, who traditionally brings light to the people together with her entourage. This custom, originating from a saint’s feast day, is especially cherished in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. The artists living in Leipzig who perform at the Lucia Concert also come from these countries.
The concert will also feature the world premiere of Sanna Ahvenjärvi’s and Tapio Lappalainen’s new Christmas song Joulu saapuu taas / Christmas is coming again, arranged for soloists, choir, and ensemble.
Performers:
Lisa Fornhammar, soprano
Elin Karlström, soprano
Dan Karlström, Tenor
Lucia Ensemble
Emilia Lappalainen, viola
Joonatan Lappalainen, percussion
Christian Hornef, piano
The Lucia Concert
December 15th 2025 at 5 p.m.,
Peterskirche, Leipzig, Germany
Berlin Passionskirche
Nordische Stimmen Grenzenlos – Portrait Concert of Finnish Composers Sanna Ahvenjärvi and Tapio Lappalainen on Thursday, 18 December 2025 at 8:00 p.m., Passionskirche (Marheinekeplatz 1, 10961 Berlin)
Experience a unique evening of contemporary Finnish music with Teosto Prize winners Ahvenjärvi and Lappalainen – part of the official programme of the European Capital of Culture Oulu2026.
Works of Finnish composers Sanna Ahvenjärvi and Tapio Lappalainen will be presented in their composition concert in Berlin – the opening event of a three-part concert series within the Finnish Cultural Capital year Oulu ECOC2026 and the 80th anniversary celebration of the Finnish Composers’ Association (Suomen Säveltäjät).
The programme features both collaborative works by the Teosto Prize–winning composers and individual compositions that explore new emotional, sonic, and technological dimensions. Ahvenjärvi’s own works tend to be characterised by emotional catharsis, comfort and an almost therapeutic vibe. The lyrics for the songs composed by Ahvenjärvi, performed at the concert, are written by Jenni Kinnunen.
Throughout Lappalainen’s career as a composer, working in the different fields of music technology, has been an inseparable part of his artistic identity. Lappalainen experiments with innovative live electronics to create new listening worlds.
The concert will also include the world premiere of the new version of the Christmas song “Joulu saapuu taas” (“Christmas Comes Again”) composed by Ahvenjärvi and Lappalainen.
The performers at the Berlin concert are musicians specialising in contemporary music: Swedish soprano Lisa Fornhammar, Greek pianist Ermis Theodorakis, and music technologist Tapio Lappalainen. The concert also features Duo Lappalainen, consisting of violist/violinist Emilia Lappalainen and percussionist Joonatan Lappalainen, both of whom study at the Sibelius Junior Academy of the University of the Arts and at the Oulu Conservatory.
Performers:
Lisa Fornhammar, soprano
Ermis Theodorakis, piano
Tapio Lappalainen, electronics
Emilia Lappalainen, viola/violin
Joonatan Lappalainen, percussion
The composition concert series of Ahvenjärvi and Lappalainen is supported by Oulu Culture Foundation (Oulu2026), The Society of Finnish Composers, Teosto Cultural Foundation, City of Haapajärvi, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Music Finland, The Finnland-Institut, Finnland Zentrum in Berlin and The Finnish Seamen’s Church in Berlin.
Concert Schedule:
Thursday, 18 December 2025
Doors open: 7:30 p.m.
Concert: 8:00 p.m.
Ticket Pre-sale:
https://www.eventim-light.com/de/a/68b691f4be7fef636945dcbb
Facebook Event:
https://fb.me/e/7oe7USbq6
Villen yösoitto
Villen yösoitto - nocturnes for piano
Performers:
Ville Hautakangas, piano
Inka Hannula and Teemu Raudaskoski, painting
The shimmer of silence and color, on the border between dream and wakefulness. Pianist Ville Hautakangas guides the listener through the many shades of night – from the calm world of dreams to the hour of the wolf. The concert features four world premieres by composers Sanna Ahvenjärvi, Anna Hakula, Ilkka Hammo, and Eetu Lehtonen.
Premiere of Sanna Ahvenjärvi’s piece Liian urhea liian pienenä / Too Brave, Too Young will be performed at the concert.
The concert is part of the Tampere Biennale program, held from April 15 to 19, 2026.
