In early May, thirteen virtuosos of modern improvised avant-garde music will gather at Espoo Cultural Centre's Louhisali for the two-day SoundScapes #5 festival.
The event celebrates the uniqueness and diversity of music composed in present time. During the SoundScapes concert nights, the performances will form unique creations — fleeting expressions of the present that exist only "here and now," dissolving into the next moment of improvisation. The audience will experience and participate in a holistic art journey brought to life through pure spatial sound experiences.
The art form of spontaneous composition relies entirely on free improvisation, where musicians act simultaneously as both composers and performers. The compositional processes are unpredictable, offering numerous opportunities for new listening and perceptual experiences. This genre requires artists to have a high level of musicality and a strong desire to create and celebrate orchestral ensemble sound.
Expect intense musical environments and landscapes, where the artist collective immerses itself in constantly shifting "ad-hoc ensembles," crossing genre, cultural, and generational boundaries while building bridges between people and experiences. The lineup and varying ensembles, from duos to orchestras, will be unique, featuring both domestic and international top-tier artists, including two founding figures of the improvisational avant-garde movement: Giancarlo Schiaffini and Philipp Wachsmann. The event focuses on improvised contemporary music, blending elements of sound art and experimental music.
Musicians:
Liz Allbee – quadraphonic trumpet
Cristiano Calcagnile – drums & percussion
John Edwards – double bass
Lori Freedman – bass clarinet
Sergio Castrillón – cello
Achim Kaufmann – piano
Veli Kujala – quarter-tone accordion
Libero Mureddu – piano
Jukka Kääriäinen – guitar & electronics
Giancarlo Schiaffini – trombone
Harri Sjöström – soprano & sopranino saxophones
Philipp Wachsmann – violin & electronics
Els Vandeweyer – vibraphone & percussion
Doors open: 6:45 PM
No age limit / 18+, alcohol service in the lobby area
Duration: approximately 2 h 15 min, including an intermission
Tickets:
1 day: 25/20 € (reduced for under 18, students, unemployed, and seniors)
2 days: 45/40 € (reduced for under 18, students, unemployed, and seniors)
service fee (starting at 1.50 € + 0.65% of the order) at lippu.fi
Reduced tickets require proof of eligibility to be shown during ticket inspection.