Press

Markku Klami's music has been described as delicate, elegant, fragile and powerful with strong emotions.

 

Born in Turku, Finland, Markku spent his early years singing in Chorus Cathedralis Iuniorum, the boys’ choir of Turku Cathedral, and later on around Europe on the choir’s tours abroad.

 

Markku has composed instrumental works ranging from solos to works for orchestra with soloists and vocal works including two operas. The use of electronics is a recurring feature in his instrumental works. While being a classically trained composer at Turku Music Academy and Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Markku has a background in electronic music with his projects in the late 1990’s. In recent years, he has occasionally revisited his roots in electronic music by composing and releasing electronic ambient music.

 

Commissioners and performers of Markku's music include Timo Korhonen, Shin-ichi Fukuda, Thomas Müller-Pering, Patrik Kleemola, Lauri Sallinen, Henrik Sandås, Lucy Abrams-Husso, Tuiki Järvensivu, Stefanie Knorr, Mia Heikkinen, Joonas Eloranta, International Contemporary Ensemble, Ensemble MISE-EN, Uusinta Ensemble, TampereRaw Ensemble, Tampering Ensemble, Avanti Chamber Orchestra, Pori Sinfonietta, Seinäjoki City Orchestra, The Polytech Choir, Audite Chamber Choir and conductors including Nils Schweckendiek, Jani Sivén, Juha Kuivanen, David Searle and Atso Almila.

 

Markku’s music has been heard in cities from New York to Taipei and Buenos Aires to Cape Town in festivals and events including ISCM World New Music Days, International Rostrum of Composers, MISE-EN MUSIC, Nordic Music Days, Musica nova Helsinki, Tampere Biennale, Zagreb Music Biennale, Turku Music Festival, Taiwan International Guitar Festival and Atlantic Music Festival.

 

Since 2021, a selection of Markku’s works have been published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen. His work has been supported by Finnish Cultural Foundation, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Sibelius Fund, Madetoja Foundation and Teosto Commission Fund.

 

Residing in Helsinki, Markku draws inspiration from both urban areas and nature. The arid sceneries, the vast seashores and forests serve as an important counterweight for him in our fast-paced culture.