Aki Yli-Salomäki
Aki Yli-Salomäki (born 1972 in Tampere) is a Finnish composer, music critic and[1] music journalist.[2] Yli-Salomäki's works are often built on atmospheres, continuity and resonance.[3] In addition to contemporary classical music, he also works as a composer and producer in popular music (like electroacoustic ambient and pop).[4]
![](../I/Aki_Yli-Salom%C3%A4ki.jpg.webp)
Career
Yli-Salomäki has studied musicology and literature at the University of Helsinki. He has studied composition initially with Jouni Kaipainen and Juhani Nuorvala. Later he studied composition and orchestration with Harri Vuori at the University of Helsinki in 1998–1999 and privately in 2000–2002. Yli-Salomäki has worked as a radio journalist in Yleisradio, particularly focusing on contemporary classical music in programs like "Aikamme suomalaista musiikkia" (2012–)[2] and "Uudet levyt" (2018–).[5] He works also as a music critic.[1]
Production
In his music, Yli-Salomäki has laid particular focus on timbral issues, temporal experience, and the aesthetics of space and "landscape" in music. Especially in the 2010s, his music was often slow, calm and focused, as evidenced by the titles of many works (e.g. the Lingering series for solo various instruments).[6][7][3] Stylistically Yli-Salomäki's work draws on, for example, post-minimalism, colorism, neo-mysticism and slow music thinking.[8] Slow-moving but intense surfaces and flowing sequences are typical of his music.[9]
Because of its evocativeness of sonic landscape and meditative nature, Yli-Salomäki's music has also been characterized as "northern" or "deep ecological" music that requires slow listening.[9][10] On the other hand, some of Yli-Salomäki's compositions include strongly rhythmic passages, striking beats and riff-like repetitions.[11][12][13] Yli-Salomäki has expanded the coloristic palette of the orchestra, for example, with whirly tube and steel pans (e.g. Ilmanvaloa for clarinet and orchestra) and throat singer (overtone singing) (e.g. Aukea for a throat singer and orchestra).[14]
Yli-Salomäki has co-operated e.g. with aerialist Ilona Jäntti.[15] He has composed music e.g. for Kamus quartet[16] and Sami Hokkanen's "Paikka" movie.[17]
List of works
Orchestral
- Ei mittään - Never Mind (2018–2019) (15') for orchestra
- Onnelmia (2014–2016) for orchestra (24')
- Uneen... (2015–2016) for orchestra (12')
- Uinukainen (2015) for string orchestra (version for string orchestra. Original version is written for string quartet) (11')
- Kaarella (2009–2010) for orchestra (9')
- Lull (2008/2010) for orchestra (10')
- Speak, memory (2007) for orchestra (16')
- Random Layers on Open Space (2006) for orchestra (10')
- Ilmassa (2005) for sting orchestra (6')
- Lava (2003) for symphonic wind orchestra (10')
- Drift (2003–2004) for string orchestra (23')
Works for soloist with orchestra
- Yhtenäisyys (Unity) (2018–2019) for flute and orchestra (21')
- Oi autuus (2015–2016) for cello and orchestra (24')
- Ilmanvaloa (2013–2014) for clarinet and orchestra (31')
- Täplät (2009) for oboe and orchestra (15')
- Gently Flow Silent Streams (2008/2010) for oboe and orchestra (6')
- Species – In Action (2005–2006/2010) concerto for percussion and orchestra (17')
- Smaller and Smaller (2005) concerto for guitar and orchestra (17')
- Kamarisinfonia nro 1 "ALLA" (2004–2005) for flute, clarinet, plucked instruments and string orchestra (38')
- Arpian images (2003) concerto for vibraphone, glockenspiel and string orchestra (30')
- Viulukonsertto (2002) for violin and string orchestra (18')
- Klarinettikonsertto (2001/2004) for clarinet and string orchestra (14')
- .lagh (2000) concertino for flute and string orchestra (10')
Vocal and choral works
- Les Hymnes de Bilitis (The Hymns of Bilitis) (2014) mezzo-soprano, violin and cello (8')
- Aukea (2010–2013) for throat-singer and orchestra (18')
- Sekunneista kiinni (2011–2012) for mixed chorus (11')
- Haihtuvaa (2010–2011) for female chorus and orchestra (30')
- Uumenissa (2008) for mixed chorus (8')
- Mistä osasit (2005) for mixed chorus (6')
Works with large ensambles
- Harhoja (2014–2015) for chamber ensemble (string quartet and wind quartet) (13')
- Väreitä (2014–2015) for clarinet, horn, piano and string quartet (15')
- Süvendus (2011) for ensemble (13')
- Colours in Linear Landscapes (2005–2006) for ensemble (10')
- Rata (2005) for big band (4')
- More (2001–2002) for big band (7')
Chamber
- Uusi yritys (2018–2019) for string quartet (8')
- Raukeaa (2019) violin, cello and piano (8')
- Helpottaa jo (2019) guitar and violin (6')
- Muistiainen (2018–2019) clarinet, violin, viola and cello (10')
- Sellaisenaan (As It Is) (2017) for string quartet (26')
- Uinukainen (2015) for string quartet (10')
- Versoja (2013–2014) for oboe, violin, tape ja aerial acrobat (23')
- Raanu (2012) for violin and guitar (also versions for violin and kantele, guitar and flute, flute and kantele) (9')
- Paikka (2012) for throat-singer and oboe (7')
- Täälläolo (2010) for string quartet (8')
- Valotomu (2010–2011) for guitar and string quartet (17')
- Nightfall (2010–2011) for clarinet and string quartet (12')
- Excerpt (2006) for guitar, cello and piano (5')
- Atmos (2003) for two guitars and two flutes (9')
Solo
- Viipyillen (Lingering) (2010–2013), cycle for various solo instruments (30')
- Preview (2011) clarinet (7')
- Jälkitiloja – viisi miniatyyriä (2010–2011) piano (7')
- Hidasta (2010) cello (6')
- Mailla (2010) viola (6')
- Odota (2010) guitar (6')[14]
Prizes
Discography
- 2013 – Odota, Otto Tolonen, guitar, Sibarecords SACD-1011 (Toccata: Finnish Guitar Music / Otto Tolonen)
- 2015 – Raanu, Sami Junnonen, flute, Eeva Alkula, kantele, Sibarecords SRCD-1016 (Laet lauloi / Sami Junnonen, flute)
References
- "Paljastus: Arvostettu nykymusiikin säveltäjä on mies Suomen rajuimman hc-punk-bändin takana –"Ei sitä julkisuuden vuoksi tehty"". Ilta Sanomat (in Finnish). 2015-07-19. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
- Hanna Isolammi (February 2019). "Aikamme suomalaista musiikkia – tyylillinen runsaudensarvi, s. 19" (PDF). Kompositio. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
- "Odota". May 2015. Cite journal requires
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(help) - "Aki Yli-Salomäen sellokonsertto tarjoaa tarttuvaa yksiäänisyyttä orkesterimaisemassa". ts.fi (in Finnish). 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
- "Uudet levyt | Kokoelmien pyörteissä". areena.yle.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2020-01-17.
- "TFO ja Tomas Nuñez-Garcés kantaesittävät Aki Yli-Salomäen sellokonserton | Turun filharmoninen orkesteri". www.tfo.fi. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
- "Esittelyteksti levyvihkosessa Laet lauloi / Sami Junnonen, flute. Sibarecords SRCD-1016". Issuu. Retrieved 2016-04-02.
- "Mysteerimusiikkia ja syväkuuntelua". May 2010. Cite journal requires
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(help) - "Yli-Salomäki kuuntelee äänten olemusta". August–September 2014. Cite journal requires
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(help) - Juha Torvinen (September 2010). "The tone of the north". Finnish Music Quarterly.
- "Rajat eivät ole Aki Yli-Salomäkeä varten". 30 July 2015. Cite journal requires
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(help) - Mattias Mattila (25 October 2014). "Uutuusteoksen siivellä maailmanympärimatkalle". Turun Sanomat.
- Hannu-Ilari Lampila (17 January 2013). "Kauneudenpalvoja [Aki Yli-Salomäen sävellyskonsertti Temppeliaukion kirkossa]". Helsingin Sanomat.
- "Aki Yli-Salomäen teosluettelo Music Finlandin sivustolla". Music Finland. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- "Ilmatila: Namesake". Vimeo. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
- Tatu Tamminen. "Kamus-kvartetti striimaa kotikonsertin | Rondo Classic" (in Finnish). Retrieved 2020-01-17.
- "Suomi on tanssielokuvan suurmaa – elokuvat tehdään kengännauhabudjetilla". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2020-01-17.
- Ilari Hylkilä (5 November 2005). "Sävellyskilpailun voiton vei Aki Yli-Salomäki". Pohjalainen. Porstua-verkkopalvelu.
- Salla Laaksonen (6 June 2005). "Helsingin yliopiston Pacius-palkinto Aki Yli-Salomäelle". Helsingin yliopisto.