IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF UUNO KLAMI
The International Uuno Klami Composition Competition is dedicated to one of the most popular and most frequently-performed Finnish composers, Uuno Klami (1900-61). Orphaned at an early age, Klami was born in the village of Klamila in Virolahti near what is now the southeast border of Finland on 20 September 1900. He studied composition at the Helsinki Music Institute with the eminent Finnish composer Erkki Melartin (1875-1937) and spent 1924-25 in Paris and 1928-29 in Vienna, but no longer engaged in systematic study while there. Throughout his life Klami was a free composer. In 1959 he was elected a member of the Academy of Finland.
Even as a student Klami was already striking off along a path of his own, away from the Late Romantic mainstream. He also succeeded in keeping his distance from Sibelius, who tended to overshadow the musical life of early 20th century Finland. The music of Klami is for the most part in the neoclassical tradition, while also bearing clear traces of influences from France (Ravel), Russia (Stravinsky) and Spain (de Falla). In his handling of the orchestra Klami was one of the most virtuosic Finnish composers of all times.
Klami the man, and to some extent the composer, has remained something of an enigma. His music defies categorical description, and he often seems to conceal his innermost being beneath an ostensibly innocuous, cheerful veneer.
Kalevi Aho / Chairman of the Jury
PAST FINALISTS
IV INTERNATIONAL UUNO KLAMI COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2018-2019, RESULTS
The results of the IV International Uuno Klami Composition Competition have now been announced and the prizes were awarded after the finals concert in Kotka on November 15.
The jury consisting of Kalevi Aho (Chairman), Magnus Lindberg, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Olari Elts awarded the prizes as follows:
I prize € 11 000: Andrea Portera (Italy) for Klecksophonic Lieder
II prize € 9 000: Christopher Culpo (France) for Mundus Imaginalis
III prize € 7 000: Tomi Räisänen (Finland) for Portal (Marimba Concerto)
The prize of the City of Kotka worth €3 000 went to Pertti Jalava (Finland) for Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
The prize of the City of Kouvola worth €2 000 went to Roberto Sansuini (Italy) for Four Tales for Small Orchestra
The audience prize, the prize of the Municipality of Virolahti worth € 500 went to Tomi Räisänen (Finland) for Portal (Marimba Concerto)
Entries for the competition were submitted by 283 composers representing 38 nationalities. The standard of the entries was so high that the jury decided to issue a list of 14 works definitely worth a performance in addition to the five selected for the finals.
III INTERNATIONAL UUNO KLAMI COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2013-2014, RESULTS
The results of the III International Uuno Klami Composition Competition were announced and the prizes were awarded after the finals concert in Kotka on November 14, 2014. The jury consisting of Kalevi Aho (Chairman), Magnus Lindberg, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Yasuo Shinozaki awarded the prizes as follows:
I prize € 11 000: Luca Vago (Italy): Suite de los espejos
II prize € 9 000: Axel Ruoff (Germany): Sinfonietta
III prize € 7 000: Sauli Zinovjev (Finland): Gryf
The prize of the City of Kotka worth €3 000 went to Alexander Muno (Germany) for Martialis Epigrammata
The prize of the City of Kouvola worth €2 000 went to Teodor Nicolau (Finland/Romania) for Mioritic roots
The finals audience prize, the prize of the municipality of Virolahti worth € 500 went to Teodor Nicolau (Finland/Romania) for Mioritic roots.
Entries for the competition were submitted by 265 composers representing 37 nationalities.
II INTERNATIONAL UUNO KLAMI COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2008-2009, RESULTS
The results of the II International Uuno Klami Composition Competition were announced and the prizes were awarded after the finals concert in Kotka on September 19, 2009. The jury - Kalevi Aho (Chairman), Anders Eliasson, Magnus Lindberg and Yasuo Shinozaki - awarded the prizes as follows:
I Prize € 8 000: Joachim F.W. Schneider (Germany): Drei Orchesterstücke
Shared II Prize € 6 500: Kent Olofsson (Sweden): Stalingrad Madonna (Symphonie II) and € 6 500: Oliver Waespi (Switzerland): Double Concerto for Guitar and Flute
III Prize € 6 000: Victor Alcántara (Germany): Toccata Concertante
The prize of the City of Kotka worth €2 000 went to Joachim F.W. Schneider: Drei Orchesterstücke
The prize of the City of Kouvola worth €3 000 was shared by Kent Olofsson (€1 500): Stalingrad Madonna (Symphonie II) and Oliver Waespi (€1 500): Double Concerto for Guitar and Flute
The finals audience prize, the prize of the Municipality of Virolahti worth €500 went to Victor Alcántara for Toccata Concertante.
Entries for the competition were submitted by 186 composers representing 27 nationalities.
I INTERNATIONAL UUNO KLAMI COMPOSITION COMPETITION 2003-2004, RESULTS
The First International Uuno Klami Composition Competition had a large number of entries: 117 compositions from 23 countries. The finals concerts were held in the cities of Kouvola and Kotka in September, 2004.
I prize: Giovanni Bonato, Italy: Arcanae Obices
II prize: Harri Ahmas, Finland: Symphony no. 2 and Barnaby Hollington, United Kingdom: A Certain Chinese Encyclopaedia
III prize: Kevin Mayo, United Kingdom: Sirens and Peter Seabourne, United Kingdom: Piano Concerto
The audience at the finals concerts voted that the audience prize be given to Harri Ahmas for his Symphony no. 2. Ahmas was also the winner of the prize awarded by the Municipality of Virolahti. The members of the Society of Finnish Composers convening in Kotka on 18 September 2004 voted Giovanni Bonato's Arcanae Obices as their favourite work.