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