Lotta Wennäkoski

Lotta Wennäkoski (1970) spent a year at a conservatory in Budapest before transferring to the Sibelius Academy to study theory and composition with Eero Hämeenniemi, Paavo Heininen and Kaija Saariaho. She then completed her studies in Amsterdam with Louis Andriessen. Artistic co-ordinator of the Tampere Biennale from 2008 to 2010, she was composer-in-residence of the Tapiola Sinfonietta for the 2010/2011 season. The works of Lotta Wennäkoski are often marked by transparent timbres and dreamy glissandos. She herself likens the composition process to baking bread: there is an idea – a recipe – according to which the ingredients are added and the dough is kneaded. Her works are designed to make a statement and she considers it important for her music to engage in dialogue with society. Vocal music therefore ranks high among her priorities, for she can then combine it with another of her passions: poetry.