Works

Orchestral works
Chamber works
Works for young musicians

“The Finnish composer possesses a highly imaginative musical language…”

— Rainer Köhl, Feuilleton der Rhein-Neckar Zeitung

“In the end, the sound faded into ethereal heights – an unabashedly “beautiful” work.”

— Ernst P. Strobl, Salzburger Nachrichten

“Sanna Ahvenjärvi's String Quartet No. 1 was on a completely different level…”

— Hanna Laulajainen, Kaleva

Orchestral works

Water (2019-2020)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for symphony orchestra
(3-3-3-3, 4-3-3-1, Timp., 2 Perc., Hrf., Pf./Cel., Strings)

Duration c. 20 min.

  • First performance

    Tampere Biennale -festival, April 8th 2022, in Tampere, Finland
    Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
    Rebecca Tong, Conductor

    Original First Performance was planned to be at the Tampere Biennale -festival April 3rd 2020 in Tampere, Finland. The concert was cancelled because ofCovid-19.

    Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra Taavi Oramo, Conductor

    " Water" was commissioned and the composing was financed by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. Additional grant for composing was awarded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation (North Ostrobothnia Regional Fund)

Miracle Overture (2005/2010-2011)

- for symphony orchestra
(3-3-3-3, 4-3-3-1, 2 Perc. Timp., Strings)

Duration: 7min. 30sec.

  • First performance

    September 15th 2011, Madetoja Hall, Oulu, Finland
    Oulu Symphony
    Anna-Maria Helsing, conductor

    Past performances

    October 14th 2011, UML -Festival, Oulu, Finland
    Oulu Symphony
    Anna-Maria Helsing, conductor

    Miracle Overture was commissioned by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra.

    The composing of Miracle Overture was implemented with the support from
    the Finnish Cultural Foundation (North Ostrobothnia Regional Fund) and the Arts Council of Oulu Province.

Störungen (2003-2005)

- for symphony orchestra
(3-3-3-3, 4-3-3-1, 3 Perc. Timp., Strings)

Duration: 4min.

  • First performances

    Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg
    Eduardo Moguillansky, conductor
    Salzburg, Austria, June 11th 2005 (premiere)
    Salzburg, Austria, June 12th 2005

    Past performances

    Oulu Symphony
    Eduardo Moguillansky, conductor
    Oulu, Finland, October 14th 2005

Whirling Energy (2025-2026)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for solo viola, solo vibraphone and symphony orchestra
(2 Fl., 2 Ob., 2 Cl., 2 Fg., 2 Cor., 2 Trp., 2 Trbn. Timp., Perc., Pf. Strings)

Duration: 7 min.

  • First performance

    June 26th 2026, Haapavesi Folk Music -Festival, Haapavesi, Finland

    Haapavesi Chamber Orchestra
    Timo Hannula, conductor
    Emilia Lappalainen, viola
    Joonatan Lappalainen, vibraphone

Jubileum

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for large orchestra and choir
(Fl.1, Fl.2, Fl.3, Trp.1, Trp.2, Trbn.1, Trbn.2, Timp., 4 Perc., Gtr., Acc.1, Acc.2, Pf.1, Pf.2, Choir, strings)

Duration: 10 min.

  • First performance

    November 10th 2018, Merkurius Hall, Oulainen, Finland
    Jokilaaksot Music Institute Jubileum Orchestra
    Janne Jääskelä, conductor

Tämänkin hämärän (1997-1998)

Text: Pablo Neruda, Finnish translation: Pentti Saaritsa

- for soprano/mezzo soprano and chamber orchestra (Fl., Ob. Cl., B.Cl., C.Bsn., Strings)

Duration: 5 min. 30 sec.

Kehtolaulu / Lullaby (2005, 2008 & 2017)

-for chamber orchestra
(Fl., Ob., Cl., Fg., Cor., Pf/Cel., Vl.1, Vl.2, Vla., Vlc., Cb.)

Duration: 5 min.

  • First performance

    October 1st 2017, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Oulu, Finland
    TampereRaw Ensemble
    Tuomas Turriago, conductor

    Past performances

    October 20th 2017, Tampere, Finland
    TampereRaw Ensemble
    Tuomas Turriago, conductor

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Chamber works

Chamber Opera Hiekkasilmä / Sand Eye (2014-2024)

Libretto Jenni Kinnunen

- for 2 sopranos, male dancer, clarinet / bass clarinet, violin / viola, piano (3 keyboards), percussion

Duration c.45 min

Juoksen perässäsi elämä (2020)

Text: Elina Salminen

- for violin, bass clarinet and piano

Duration: 12min. 30sec.

  • First Performances on 12th September in Haapajärvi, Finland and on 13th September in Pyhäjärvi, Finland.

    Trio TreColor:
    Maija Anttila, bass clarinet
    Lotta Harju, violin
    Marjukka Eskelinen, piano

    ”Juoksen perässäsi elämä” was commissioned by the Trio TreColor.
    The composing was implemented with a grant from the Madetoja Foundation.
    ”Juoksen perässäsi elämä” is dedicated to the Trio TreColor.

Bußetuende Zitrusseife (2019)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

Text: Veronika Aschenbrenner

- for soprano, flute, guitar and violoncello

Duration: 9 min.

  • First performance

    In Blooms-day, June 16th 2019 in SOLITÄR im Mozarteum, Salzburg, Austria.

    Alexandra Lambert-Raschké, soprano
    Vera Klug, flute
    Yvonne Zehner, guitar
    Chih-Hui Chang, violoncello

    Commissioned by the Salzburger Gesellschaft für Musik.

    The composing was implemented with the support from the Arts Promotion Center Finland.

Teardrops (2022-2024)

- for flute (also alto flute), violin (also viola), violoncello and piano

Duration 9 min.

  • First Performance

    January 18th 2025, in Pyhäjärvi, Finland

    Anniina Kontkanen, flute and alto flute

    Janne Jääskelä, viola and violin

    Sanna-Kaisa Ruoppa, violoncello

    Elina Jääskelä, piano

    Teardrops was commissioned by the Jokilaaksojen Kamarimusiikkiyhdistys.
    The composing was implemented with a grant from the Central Ostrobothnia Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

Four songs from the song cycle (Trio version):
"Elämän ja kuoleman lauluja" / "Songs of Life and Death"
(2013-2014)

Text: Jenni Kinnunen
– for mezzo soprano, violin and piano

Duration: 10 min.

  • First performance of trio version

    July 25th 2017, Hietasaaren äänet -festival, Oulu, Finland

    Riikka Vuorijärvi, mezzo soprano
    Austra Steke, violin
    Laura Heikkilä, piano

    Past performances

    September 13th 2020
    Pyhäjärvi, Finland

    September 12nd 2020
    Haapajärvi, Finland

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"Elämän ja kuoleman lauluja" / "Songs of Life and Death"
(2013-2014)

Text: Jenni Kinnunen
- for mezzo soprano and ensemble (Pf./Cel., Perc., Vl.1, Vl.2, Vla., Vlc., Cb.)

Duration: 15 min.

  • First performance

    Annemari Moilanen, mezzo soprano
    Musicians from Oulu Symphony

    Oulu Finland (premiere)
    May 4th 2016

Ikirouta (2020)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for flute, guitar, violoncello and electronics

Duration: 11min. 30sec.

  • First Performance

    October 6th 2020, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -Festival October 6th 2020, Kempele, Finland

    "Ikirouta/Permafrost" was commissioned by the Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -Festival.
    The composing was implemented with a grant from the Madetoja Foundation.

    "Ikirouta" is dedicated to the Arctos Ensemble.

Fingers to the Bone (2004)

- for violin duo

Duration: 10min. 30sec.

  • First performance

    Frank Stadler, violin
    Iszo Bajusz, violin

    GegenWelten-festival, Heidelberg, Germany
    June 12th 2005

    Past performances

    Duo Gelland has performed "Fingers to the Bone" in Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and in U.S.A.

    November 1st 2014, UML-Festival, Oulu Finland
    Liina Räikkönen, violin
    Austra Steke, violin

    October 15th 2005, UML-Festival, Oulu, Finland
    Teija Slobodeniouk, violin
    Anna Angervo, violin

String Quartet No.1 (1998-2000)

Duration: 10 min.

  • First performance

    November 11th 2002, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Oulu, Finland
    Bodö Sinfonietta String Quartet
    Björn Andor Drage, conductor

    Past performances

    April 15th 2005, stART -Festival, Salzburg, Austria
    Stadler Quartett von OENM:
    Frank Stadler, violin
    Izso Bajusz, violin
    Predrag Katanic, viola
    Peter Sigl, cello

    May 22nd 2003, TriViale -Festival, Salzburg, Austria
    Kristin Deeken, violin
    Wilson Chu, violin
    Thomas Koslowsky, viola
    Julie Dessureault, cello

    Dancers: Sara Kuzel, Alice Bariselli, Vanessa Luckx, Ana Hribar

Karl Collan: Sylvias helsing från Sicilien (Arr. Sanna Ahvenjärvi)

- for brass quintet
(2 Trp., Cor., Trbn. Tba.)

Duration: 5 min.

  • First Performance

    December 19th 2012, Roma, Italy
    Borealis Brass:
    Jane Aspnes, horn
    Karen Gustafson, trumpet
    Hannah Johnson, trumpet
    James Bicigo, trombone
    John Aspnes, tuba

    Past Performances

    March 19th 2013, Shah Alam, Malaysia
    March 18th 2013, Shah Alam, Malaysia
    December 23th 2012, Veroli, Italy
    December 22th 2012, Fiuggi Città, Italy
    December 22th 2012, Vallepietra, Italy
    December 21th 2012, Fiuggi, Italy
    December 20th 2012, Alatri, Italy
    Borealis Brass:
    Jane Aspnes, horn
    Karen Gustafson, trumpet
    Hannah Johnson, trumpet
    James Bicigo, trombone
    John Aspnes, tuba

    This arrangement was commissioned by the Fondazione Adkins Chiti: Donne in Musica for the Christmas Concerts in Italy 2012. This arrangement is dedicated to the ”Borealis Brass”.

No Piece by Violance (2002-2003)

- for solo viola

Duration: 5min. 30.sec.

  • First performance

    May 30th 2003, Salzburg, Austria
    Marie Teresa Nawara

    Past performances

    July 7th and 8th 2021, St. Petersburg, Russia
    Laurent Corsyn

    September 13th 2020, Kaivos-festival, Outokumpu, Finland
    Mari Viluksela
    CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

    April 27th 2020, ISCM World New Music Festival, Christchurch, New Zealand
    Mark Menzies
    POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 TO AUTUMN 2022!

    March 26th 2011, Annual meeting of the Finnish Viola Society, Oulu, Finland
    Johanna Leponiemi

    June 12th 2005, Gegenwelten –Festival, Heidelberg, Germany
    Barbara Maurer (Ensemble Recherche)

    June 18th 2003, Komponistmöte Nordkalotten -Festival 2003, Torshavn, Färoe -Islands
    Johannes Skyberg

Composition for Windquintet (2002/2003)

- for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon

Duration: 5min. 30sec.

  • First performance

    November 15th 2002, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Oulu, Finland
    Windquintet from Oulu Symphony and Oulu Conservatory

    Past performances

    November 24th 2006, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Rovaniemi, Finland
    Annaleena Puhto, flute
    Matti Kettunen, oboe
    Markku Korhonen, clarinet
    Pasi Salminen, horn
    Jari Laakso, bassoon

    January 20th 2004, Salzburg, Austria
    Eduardo Moguillansky, conductor
    Silke Tweraser, flute
    Philine Voigtländer, oboe
    Beatriz Lopez, clarinet
    Petar Krizanic, bassoon
    Mihai Soare, Horn

Ruutin aaria, from Hiekkasilmä -chamber opera (2014-2015)

Text: Jenni Kinnunen

- for soprano, male dancer, Cl., Acc, Perc., Pf.

Duration: 5min. 30 sec.

  • First performance

    September 29th 2015, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -festival, Oulu Finland
    Lisa Fornhammar, soprano
    Petri Kauppinen, dancer
    Nathan Archer, percussions
    Johanna Tilus, piano
    Markku Korhonen, clarinet
    Anne-Mari Kanniainen, accordion

Ruutin aaria, from Hiekkasilmä -chamber opera (2014-2015)

Text: Jenni kinnunen

- for soprano and piano

Neliniminen nainen (2015-2016)

Text: Jenni Kinnunen

- for soprano and guitar

Duration: 7 min.

  • First performance

    March 6th 2016, Passauer Saiten -Festival, Passau, Germany
    Suvi Väyrynen, soprano
    Yvonne Zehner, guitar

    Past performances

    December 3rd 2016, Salzburg, Austria
    Aleksandra Lambert-Raschké, soprano
    Yvonne Zehner, guitar

Tämänkin Hämärän, duo version (1997-1998)

Text: Pablo Neruda, Finnish translation: Pentti Saaritsa

- for soprano/mezzo soprano and piano

Duration: 5min. 30sec.

Kadonneiden aivojen metsästys (2009)

- for percussion trio

Duration: 6 min.

  • First Performance

    November 14th 2009, Uuden Musiikin Lokakuu -Festival, Oulu, Finland
    Oulu Percussion Group:
    Tuomo Orvakangas
    Antti Ohenoja
    Jani Niinimäki

Outo tarina (2013 / 2021)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

Text: Jenni Kinnunen

- for mixed choir and percussion

Duration: 3 min.

  • First Performance

    November 20th 2021, Hallavalot-festival, Vaala, Finland
    Hohde Choir
    Tuomo Rahko, conductor

Teardrops (2022-2024, 2025)

- for flute (also alto flute), viola, violoncello and piano

Duration 9 min.

  • First performance of this version

    July 5th 2025, Sinetän musiikkijuhlat -festival, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Heli Haapala, flute and alto flute

    Melanie Wadd, viola

    Lauri Angervo, violoncello

    Viktor Pellia, piano

Kehtolaulu / Lullaby (2005, 2008, 2017, 2025)

- flute, piano, viola, contra bass

Duration: 5 min.

  • First performance of this version

    July 3rd 2025, Sinetän musiikkijuhlat -festival, Rovaniemi, Finland

    Sonja Jussila, flute

    Emilia Lappalainen, viola

    Kiara Torres Niva, piano

    Eero-Kalle Bergman, contra bass

Kehtolaulu / Lullaby (2005, 2008, 2017, 2025)

- harp, 2 violins, viola and violoncello

Duration: 5 min.

  • First performance of this version


    September 26th 2025, Arpa GRAZiosa -Festival, Graz, Austria


    Adnan Hudson, harp

    Ani Karamyan, violin

    Ekaterina Schwarz, violin

    Kateryna Telina, viola

    Jarina Jaszniszki, violoncello

Whirling Energy (2025)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for viola and vibraphone

  • First performance


    September 26th 2025, Arpa GRAZiosa -Festival, Graz, Austria

    Duo Lappalainen:

    Emilia Lappalainen, viola

    Joonatan Lappalainen, vibraphone

Liian urhea liian pienenä / Too Brave, Too Young (2024-2025)

- for piano

Duration 5 min. 30 sec.

  • First performance


    April 16th 2026, Tampere Biennale, Tampere-talo, Maestro, Finland

    Ville Hautakangas, piano

    Inka Hannula and Teemu Raudaskoski, painting

    ” Too Brave, Too Young” was commissioned by Ville Hautakangas.

    The composing was made possible with grants from the City of Haapajärvi and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.

    ” Too Brave, Too Young” is dedicated to Ville Hautakangas.

Täällä on kaikelle paikka from the chamber opera Hiekkasilmä / Sand Eye (2014-2024)

Text Jenni Kinnunen

- for soprano, viola, percussion and piano

Duration: 4 min.

  • First performance of this version


    December 18th 2025,Passionskirche, Berlin, Germany

    Lisa Fornhammar, soprano

    Emilia Lappalainen, viola

    Joonatan Lappalainen, percussion

    Ermis Theodorakis, piano

Kehtolaulu from the chamber opera Hiekkasilmä / Sand Eye (2005, 2008, 2017, 2025)

Text Jenni Kinnunen

- for soprano, viola, percussion and piano

Duration: 5 min.

  • First performance of this version


    December 18th 2025,Passionskirche, Berlin, Germany

    Lisa Fornhammar, soprano

    Emilia Lappalainen, viola

    Joonatan Lappalainen, percussion

    Ermis Theodorakis, piano

Jubileum (2018, 2025)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- harp, 2 violins, viola and violoncello

Duration: 9 min.

  • First performance of this version


    September 26th 2025, Arpa GRAZiosa -Festival, Graz, Austria


    Carolin Hauswirth, harp

    Ani Karamyan, violin

    Ekaterina Schwarz, violin

    Kateryna Telina, viola

    Jarina Jaszniszki, violoncello

Joulu saapuu taas / Christmas is coming again

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for soprano solo, alto solo, tenor solo, mixed choir, viola, percussion, piano

Duration: 4 min.

  • First performance

    Lisa Fornhammar, soprano

    Elin Karlström, soprano

    Dan Karlström, Tenor

    Lucia Ensemble

    Emilia Lappalainen, viola

    Joonatan Lappalainen, percussion

    Christian Hornef, piano

    December 15th 2025, Lucia Concert, Peterskirche Leipzig, Germany

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Works for young musicians

Jubileum (2018)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

- for large orchestra and choir
(Fl.1, Fl.2, Fl.3, Trp.1, Trp.2, Trbn.1, Trbn.2, Timp., 4 Perc., Gtr., Acc.1, Acc.2, Pf.1, Pf.2, Choir, strings)

Duration: 10 min.

  • First performance

    November 10th 2018, Merkurius Hall, Oulainen, Finland
    Jokilaaksot Music Institute Jubileum Orchestra
    Janne Jääskelä, conductor

Revontuulet (2004-2005)

- for youth orchestra
(3 Fl., 2 Ob., 3 Cl., 1 Cor., 3 Trp,. 3 Perc., 6 Vl.1, 6 Vl.2, 4 Vla., 4 Vlc., 1 Cb.)

Duration: 6 min.

  • First performance

    May 11th 2005, Rovaniemi, Finland
    Lapland Music School Orchestra
    Kristiina Penttinen, conductor

    Commissioned by the Lapland Music School

Rakennetaan koulu! (2013-2014)

Composed together with Tapio Lappalainen

Chamber Opera
(Soprano, Baritone, Choir (also Recorders), 2 Gtr., 2 Perc., Pf., String Quartet)

Duration: 20 min.

  • First Performance

    April 8th 2014, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä, Finland
    The students of Onerva Mäki School
    Paavo Nisula, baritone
    Academus String Quartet (JAMK - University of Applied Sciences)

    Past Performances

    April 19th 2016, Jyväskylä, Finland
    The students of Valteri Onerva School
    Paavo Nisula, baritone
    Jyväskylä Sinfonia String Quartet

    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
    The students of Onerva Mäki School
    Paavo Nisula, baritone
    Academus String Quartet (JAMK - University of Applied Sciences)

Kolme pientä kappaletta viulutriolle / Three small pieces for violin trio (2009-2010)

- for violin trio

Duration: 3 min.

  • First performance

    January 22nd 2012, Kuulolla -event by music schools from Pirkanmaa, Tampere, Finland
    Anna Korri, violin
    Sofia Pirttinen, violin
    Karoliina Heinänen, violin
    Kristiina Penttinen, director

    The composition is dedicated to the commissioner Kristiina Penttinen and violinists Liina Ristolainen, Lotta Ristolainen and Maiju Salmikivi.

Kolme pientä kappaletta alttoviulutriolle / Three small pieces for viola trio (2009-2010)

- for viola trio

Duration: 3 min.

  • First Performance

    March 26th 2011, Annual meeting of the Finnish Viola Society, Oulu, Finland
    Students from Oulu Conservatory

    Past performances

    October 7th 2019, Oulu, Finland
    Jaana Herlevi, viola
    Johanna Leponiemi, viola
    Anniina Matinlassi, viola

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