Veli Kujala – The official site of internationally acclaimed concert accordionist and composer Veli Kujala

”Veli Kujala is an archetype of modern musician, in whose character composing, improvising and crossing borders are all well presented.” Mats Liljeroos, Hufvudstadsbladet | ”The entirety is convincing, newest and most interesting music of our time… The music of Veli Kujala resonates in a startlingly fresh and uncompromisingly original way.” Ville Komppa, YLE Radio 1 | "Kujala’s bravura performance with an accordion capable of quarter tones in Mononen’s Satumaa added a thrill of off-key chaos." Music OMH (review of Tango Prom 70 concert at the BBC Proms) | ”...the Kujala duo shines in the Sonata, delivering it with breathtaking virtuosity and nuance.” Patrick Hanudel, American Record Guide | ”It is always a great pleasure to listen to the great Veli Kujala on the accordion” Médéric Collignon, Citizen Jazz | ”Accordionist Veli Kujala’s debut concert at the Sibelius-Academy offered exactly what a debut concert is best to expect: brilliant musicianship, fine works and entertaining program.” Samuli Tiikkaja, Helsingin Sanomat | ”The composition DAI presented wonderfully the colorful soundscape of Kujala’s music, which is sometimes gushing, graceful, mystical, sneaky, creepy, hard, clear, blinding bright.” Hanne Orrenmaa, Ilkka | ”Kujala played brilliantly on accordion… I would like to know if anybody in the audience had ever before heard such an unbelievable soloist on this instrument.” Östgöta Correspondenten | ”Kujala proved to be adept at all styles and made the accordion a more sophisticated instrument.” Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Coming Up!

Oct 30 Concert evening @ Restaurant Skutta (Stoa, Helsinki), works by Wennäkoski, Virtaperko, Kujala and Gann

Nov 4 The Tango is Behind Everything with Lahti Symphony Orchestra/Yates @ Lahti Sibelius Hall

Nov 13-14 Concerts organized by Helsinki Jazz, more info later

Nov 20 Something like home, music by Nemad Battah @ Caisa, Helsinki

Dec 5 Photon performed by Iveta Apkalna (org) and Martynas Levickis (acc) @ Cologne Philharmony,

Dec 9 Auseil, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra performed by Eriikka Maalismaa and the City Orchestras of Seinäjoki and Vaasa, cond. by Tomas Djupsjöbacka @ Seinäjoki-hall

Dec 10 Auseil, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra performed by Eriikka Maalismaa and the City Orchestras of Seinäjoki and Vaasa, cond. by Tomas Djupsjöbacka @ Vaasa City Hall

Yleinen

Violin concerto Auseil premiere in YLE Areena

Eriikka Maalismaa and Helsinki Phil conducted by Osmo Vänskä played tremendous premiere performance of my violin concerto ’Auseil’. It was filmed and recorded by the Finnish Broadcasting Company and can …