Home - Veli Kujala

”Veli Kujala is the archetype of a modern musician, skillfully incorporating composition, improvisation, and boundary-crossing into his artistry.” Mats Liljeroos, Hufvudstadsbladet | ”And a tip of the hat to the on-stage accordionist Veli Kujala for a standout cameo in Hamlet's scene with the Players.” David Wolfson, Bachtrack.com (Review of The Metropolitan Opera's Hamlet) | ”Stunningly performed by the composer, Veli Kujala’s Accordion Hyperoriental, the fourth part of Hyperchromatic Counterpoint (2006-09), was one of the highlights of the fabulous evening.” Jari Kallio, Adventures in Music | ”Props must be given to accordionist Veli Kujala who musically carried an entire scene on his own.” David Salazar, Operawire.com (Review of The Metropolitan Opera's Hamlet) | ”The entirety is convincing and represents the latest and most intriguing music of today… Veli Kujala's music vibrates with startling freshness and irresistible originality.” 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 (Kalevi Aho's) Sonata, delivering it with breathtaking virtuosity and nuance.” Patrick Hanudel, American Record Guide | ”Listening to the exceptional Veli Kujala on the accordion is an immense pleasure every time.” Médéric Collignon, Citizen Jazz | ”Accordionist Veli Kujala's debut concert at the Sibelius Academy delivered precisely what one would anticipate from a debut concert: exceptional musicianship, exquisite compositions, and an engaging program.” Samuli Tiikkaja, Helsingin Sanomat | ”The composition DAI masterfully portrayed the vibrant soundscape of Kujala's music, which traverses moments of exuberance, elegance, mystique, intrigue, eeriness, intensity, clarity, and dazzling brightness.” Hanne Orrenmaa, Ilkka | ”Kujala's accordion performance was nothing short of brilliance... I couldn't help but wonder if anyone in the audience had previously encountered such an astonishing 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!

Sep 28 Azul performed by Susanne Kujala (organ) @ 2. Internationale Orgelwoche Paderborn (DE)

Oct 5 Violin concerto ‘Auseil’ performed by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra/de Ridder & Eriikka Maalismaa, Madetoja Hall, Oulu (FI)

Oct 11 Photon performed by Iveta Apkalna (organ) and Martynas Levickis (accordion) @ Elbphilharmonie Hamburg (DE)

Oct 19 Photon performed by Iveta Apkalna (organ) and Martynas Levickis (accordion) @ Konzerthaus Berlin (DE)

Oct 21 Concert at AccordionFest Estonia with Ferdinando Romano (b), Kirke Karja (pf) and Ramuel Tafenau (dr); music by Ferdinando Romano (EE)

Oct 28 Cyclone performed by Susanne Kujala (organ) @ Auditorio de Musica Madrid (ES)

Oct 31 Soundscapes Berlin -festival with Liz Allbee, Sergio Armaroli, Frank Gratkowski, Elisabeth Harnik, Harri Sjöström, Philipp Wachsmann etc. (DE)

Nov 1 Soundscapes Berlin -festival (DE)

Nov 19 Dancespheres performed by Kumaus Trio @ Temppeliaukio Church Helsinki (FI)

Yleinen

“Ispilu” by Lore-Amenabar Larrañaga, featuring “L’eaurelle”

Mark your calendars for September 8th, 2023! The eagerly awaited “Ispilu” album by Lore-Amenabar Larrañaga, in collaboration with Divine Art Records, is about to grace our ears. This exceptional release …

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 …