Works By Category

For Solo Instrument(s) and Orchestra

El Tango, concerto for classical accordion and orchestra (2024)          12′
Commissioned by Premio Internazionale Fisarmonica Castelfidardo
Fp: Finalists of the PIF Castelfidardo (Junhao Mao, Olzhas Nurlanov and Naixin Zheng) & Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria cond. Alfredo Luigi Cornacchia, Sep 15 2024, Castelfidardo (IT)

Transformations
Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Orchestra (2020)     22′       
Commissioned by Saxophone Quartet Aava with the financial support of the Madetoja Foundation
Fp: Saxophone Quartet Aava (Joonatan Rautiola, Samu Metsänen, Kalle Oittinen, Eero Saunamäki) & The Guards Band cond. Jószef Hárs, Oct 28 2020, Temppeliaukio Church Helsinki (FI)

Concerto for Violin and Symphony Orchestra “Auseil” (2019)  26′  
Dedicated to Eriikka Maalismaa
Commissioned by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Fp: Eriikka Maalismaa, violin and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra cond. Osmo Vänskä,  Nov 1 2019, Helsinki Music Centre (FI)

Shape-Shifter, concerto for classical accordion and string orchestra (2018)  21′
Commissioned by the Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra with the financial support of Finnish Cultural Foundation Central Ostrobothnia Fund and the Teosto Fund
Published by Modus musiikki.
Fp: Petteri Waris, accordion and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra cond. Tomas Djupsjöbacka, Feb 15 2019, Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival (FI)

Thum Bop – A Hitchhiker’s Concerto for classical accordion and big band (2017)  24′      
Commissioned by UMO Jazz Orchestra as a part of the Sibelius’ Successors -project
Fp: Veli Kujala, accordion, UMO Jazz Orchestra cond. by Kirmo Lintinen, Helsinki Savoy Theatre, Sep 12 2017

Vertex for electric ukulele, electric violin, double bass and symphony orchestra (2017) 15‘
Commissioned by Jarmo Julkunen with the financial support of the Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Dedicated to Jarmo Julkunen
Fp: Jarmo Julkunen, e-ukulele, Christian Garrick, e-violin, Jani Pensola, double bass and Lahti Symphony Orchestra cond. by Taavi Oramo, visualization by Klaus Haapaniemi & Co., Feb 2 2018, Lahti Sibelius Hall (FI)

Shimmer of the North, concertino for accordion and string quintet/string orchestra (2016) 12′
“Pekka Pohjola in memoriam”
I Introduction
II The Quest
III Winged Shimmer
Commissioned by the Finnish Association for Accordion Teachers, Published by Modus musiikki
Fp (sextet version): Sonja Vertainen, accordion, Ida Tunkkari, violin, Aku Sorensen, violin, Iiris Rannikko, viola, Antto Tunkkari, violoncello, Pauli Pappinen, double bass, Kokkola Winter Accordion Festival, Feb 12 2017

CybOrgan for organ, live-electronics and strings  (2012) 21′               
Part I     -UM                                                                                        
Part II    On the Strand of Remoteness                                               
Part III   Warp                                                                                      
Fp: Susanne Kujala and the Jousia Ensemble, dir. Janne Nisonen, Helsinki Music Centre (Organo), Oct 21 2012.

Works for Chamber Orchestra

DAI for chamber ensemble (2013)  14′                                                 
To the memory of Professor Vernon
Concerto for 11 players (fl+picc, ob+ehn, cl+cl in eb, bsn, hn, pf, 2 vln, vla, vc, db)
Commissioned by and dedicated to Zagros Ensemble.
Fp: Zagros Ensemble, cond. Hannu Lintu, Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, Oct 5 2013

Chamber Works

Dancespheres for accordion, double bass and percussion (2023)       10′
Commissioned by the Kumaus-trio with the financial support of the Sibelius Fund
Fp: Kumaus-trio (Janne Valkeajoki, Helka Seppälä, Lauri Pekkarinen), August 27 2023, Kumaus Festival, Lappeenranta (FI)

Cyan, capriccio for horn and organ (2022)     4′
Commissioned by and dedicated to Jan Lehtola and Petri Komulainen
Fp: Jan Lehtola & Petri Komulainen, August 9 2023, St. John Church Helsinki (FI)

Fast Forward for string quartet  (2021)      4′                                             
Dedicated to the Firebirds

microdancetudes for MikroEnsemble (2017/2020)   15′
I Midsummer Beast
II Autumn Won’t Leave
III Winterrail
IV Chaconne on Spring Coils
Commissioned by MikroEnsemble with the support of Teosto Funds
Fp: MikroEnsemble, Feb 29 2020, Beyond 2020: Microtonal Music Festival, Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh (USA)

GRAP for violin and piano (2019)   2′                                                          
Fp: Helena Kujala, violin, Susanne Kujala, piano, Mar 21 2019, Jugend Musiziert Landeswettbewerb, Prague (CZ)

Tango di Paganini for violin duo (2019)    5′

Taz for Pierrot Ensemble (2018)  11′                                                            
Commissioned by the Tampere Biennale with the financial support of the Sibelius Fund
Fp: Ääni-kollektiivi (Kaisa Kortelainen, fl, Helmi Malmgren, cl, Aliisa Neige Barrière, vl, Sirja Nironen, vc, Väinö Jalkanen, pf, Jerry Piipponen, perc), Apr 14 2019, Tampere Biennale (FI)

Vertex – Lunar Eclipse for tenor ukulele, double bass, violin and string quartet (2017) 12‘
Fp: Jarmo Julkunen, ukulele, Jani Pensola, double bass, Chris Garrick, violin, string quartet of London Symphony Orchestra, visualization by Klaus Haapaniemi & Co., LSO St. Luke’s, London, Jul 7 2017

Winged Shimmer for violin, piano and string quintet (2017) 5‘
Fp: Chris Garrick, violin, David Gordon, piano, Jani Pensola, double bass, string quartet of London Symphony Orchestra, London LSO St. Luke’s, Jul 7 2017

Vertex – Perigee-syzygy for tenor ukulele and string quartet (2017) 7′
Commissioned by and dedicated to Jarmo Julkunen
Fp: Jarmo Julkunen, ukulele, Pekka Kuusisto, violin, Jaakko Kuusisto, violin, Anna-Kreetta Gribajcevic, viola, Marko Ylönen, violoncello, Hämeenlinna Verkatehdas, Apr 6 2017

Photon für Orgel mit transportable Fernwerk for organ and accordion (2015)   6′
Fp: Susanne Kujala, organ, Veli Kujala, accordion, Carinthischer Sommer Festival, Jul 20 2015

Lairë for violin, horn and piano (2014)  19′
Commissioned by Reeta Maalismaa and Jukka Harju
Fp: Reeta Maalismaa, violin, Jukka Harju, horn and Jouko Laivuori, piano, Helsinki Music Centre Main Hall, May 16 2014

Xtension for almost too many accordions (2013)  6′                                 
Commissioned by the University of Arts Helsinki.
Dedicated to Matti Rantanen
Fp: The accordionists of the Sibelius-Academy cond. Janne Valkeajoki, Sep 2 2013, Helsinki Music Centre Concert Hall

MiXi  for quarter-tone accordion and string quartet (2011) 14′
Fp: Quatuor iXi (Regis Huby & Iréne Lecoq, violins, Guillaume Roy, viola, Atsushi Sakai, violoncello) & Veli Kujala, qt accordion, Seinäjoki, Sep 11 2011

Valkea fuuga, four part fugue for any ensemble  (2011)  3′
Dedicated to my godfather Heino Näsi
Fp: Finnish Youth Accordion Ensemble, cond. Janne Valkeajoki, Sata-Häme Soi Festival, Ikaalinen, Jul 2011

Introduction and Passacaglia  for 15 accordions  (2010) 10′
Commissioned by the Finnish Youth Accordion Ensemble.
Fp: Finnish Youth Accordion Ensemble, cond. Janne Valkeajoki, Tapiola Church, Mar 6 2011.

Strance  for nyckelharpa and organ (2008)  6’
Commissioned by Emilia Lajunen
Fp: Emilia Lajunen, nyckelharpa and Ville Urponen, organ, Kallio Church, Helsinki, May 28, 2008

Friixi  for accordion and string quartet (2006)  7′ WITHDRAWN
Fp: Veli Kujala, accordion, Quatuor IXI (Régis Huby and Iréne Lecoq, violins, Guillaume Roy, viola, Alain Grange, violoncello), Kanuti Guild Hall, Estonia, Oct 4 2006

Electro-acoustic Works

Crystalloluminescent Crossing for Violin and Electronics (2023)      10′
Commissioned by Maria Puusaari with the financial support of the Finnish Cultural Foundation
Fp: Maria Puusaari, October 17 2023, Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, Helsinki (FI)

Fluorescent Crescent for Violoncello and Live-electronics (2016)   25′
I Coral Fantasy
II Astral Falcon
Dedicated to Markus Hohti
Commissioned by Markus Hohti with the financial support of the Sibelius Fund
Fp: Markus Hohti, Marko Myöhänen, live-electronics, Teemu Nurmelin, lighting design. G Livelab, Sep 9 2016

Coral Fantasy for Violoncello and Live-electronics (2015)   10′
First movement of Fluorescent Crescent
Fp: Markus Hohti, violoncello, Marko Myöhänen, live-electronics, Ville Virtanen, lighting design, New Music October -festival, Oulu, Sep 28 2015

Hyperchromatic Counterpoint for Quarter-tone Accordion and 5.0 Surround Media (2006-2009)  47′
I Wer Krümel isst wird Reich
a) Bulgarian Infinity Series
b) Neutral Waves
c) Bar 16 2/3
II Passacaglia
III Sculpture
IV Accordion Hyperoriental
V L’harmonie éternelle
Composed with the financial support of the Innovation Centre of the Sibelius-Academy
Fp: Veli Kujala, quarter tone accordion, James Andean, sound diffusion, Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, Sep 8, 2009

Solo Works

Aurora Borealis for Organ Solo (2023)     8′
Fp: Susanne Kujala, April 11 2023, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg (DE)

L’eaurelle for Quarter-tone Accordion (2023)     5′
Commissioned by and dedicated to Lore Amenabar-Larrañaga
Fp (scheduled): Lore Amenabar-Larrañaga, June 28 2023, Bern (CH)

Misterioso Variations for Accordion Solo  (2022)      5′                             
Dedicated to Professor Matti Rantanen for his 70th Birthday
Fp: Veli Kujala, March 26 2022, Helsinki Music Centre Camerata (FI)

Cathedral of St. George for Piano Solo (2021)      7′
Dedicated to maestro Georg Friedrich Schenck

Sparkling Suite for Classical Accordion (2018)  10′                                  
Commissioned by the Finnish Association for Accordion Teachers
Fp: 14–16-year-old participants of “Minä soitan harmonikkaa…” -competition, Espoo Culture Centre, Apr 5 2019 (FI)

Vesa for Piano Solo (2017)  2′
Dedicated to my dear brother for his 50th anniversary 1.12.2017
Fp: Susanne Kujala, piano, Dec 2 2017, Helsinki (FI)

La storia dello squalo della mia vita for Concert Accordion (2017)  4′   
Dedicated to Mika Väyrynen for his 50th birthday
Fp: Mika Väyrynen, accordion, Helsinki Music Centre, Oct 11 2017

Northern Lights for Organ Solo (2014)   10′  WITHDRAWN
Commissioned by James D. Hicks

Mephisto Maze for Classical Accordion Solo (2013)  9′                             
Commissioned by Mika Väyrynen and the Finnish Accordion Institute.    
Fp: Mika Väyrynen, accordion, Vantaa Church of St. Lawrence, Apr 17 2016

Gentle Flow of Peace for Organ Solo (2011)   6′                                     
Fp: Susanne Kujala, organ, Berlin Cathedral, Jun 11 2011

L’harmonie éternelle  for Quarter-tone Accordion  (2009) 5’
“To the memory of my dear father”
Fp: Veli Kujala, quarter-tone accordion, Alahärmä Church, Mar 13, 2009

Piece Dorsch BMW-572 for Organ Solo  (2007) 5’                                     
Fp: Susanne Kujala, organ, Turku Conservatory Organ Hall, Oct 27 2007

Cyclone  for Organ Solo (2006)  13’                                                           
Commissioned by Turku and Kaarina parish union
Fp: Susanne Kujala, organ, Turku Cathedral, Jun 20 2006

Lefthandances  for Piano Left Hand  (2005/06)     16’                              
I Esquerdamba                                                                                           
II Sinistralzer
III Izquierdango
Commissioned by and dedicated to Izumi Tateno.
First prize in the composition competition of the Espoo Piano Week
Fp: Izumi Tateno, piano, Osaka, Japan, Jan 19, 2006 (Izquierdango)
Izumi Tateno, piano, Kauniainen Nya Paviljongen, Apr 4 2006 (the whole suite)

Triptychos  for organ solo (2004)           18’                                              
I Vision                                                                                                     
II Sphere                                                                                                   
III Echoes                                                                                                 
Second prize and public prize in the international composition competition “Catedral del Buen Pastor de Donostia-San Sebastian”
Fp: Susanne Kujala, organ, Lapua Cathedral, Oct 24 2004

Azul  for organ solo   (2004)   8’                                                                  
Fp: Susanne Kujala, organ, Meilahti Church, Helsinki, Apr 25 2004   

Blue Passacaglia  for Classical Accordion Solo   (2001)   6’                     
2nd prize in the London Accordion Festival’s Composition contest 2001
Fp: Veli Kujala, accordion, Espoo, Jun 2002 

Works for Big Band

Umojidos for big band (2019)   4′
A set of 30 “umojis”
Commissioned by the UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra
Fp: UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra cond. Kirmo Lintinen, Sep 26 2019, Kouvola Kuusankoskitalo (FI)

The Quarter  for big band  (2003) 8’                                                       
Public prize in Brussels Jazz Orchestra’s Composition contest 2003
Fp: Brussels Jazz Orchestra, cond. Veli Kujala, Jazz Hoeilaart Festival, Sep 28 2003

Stage Works

Kun valas hotkaisi Joonan…  for organ and reciter  (2012) 30′               
Commissioned by the Association of Finnish Church Music Composers
Text by Kaija Pispa
Fp: Church music students of the Sibelius-Academy, Helsinki Music Centre (Organo), Mar 6 2013

När valen slukade Jona… for organ and reciter  (2012) 30′                     
Commissioned by the Association of Finnish Church Music Composers
Text by Kaija Pispa, Swedish translation by Leif Pietilä
Fp: Church music students of the Sibelius-Academy, Helsinki Music Centre (Organo), Mar 6 2013

Transcriptions for Accordion

Niccolo Paganini / Veli Kujala: Paganini-Variations (Caprice No. 24)    
Fp: Veli Kujala (accordion), Helsinki, Feb 1999

Henryk Wieniawski: Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16                                      
Fp: Veli Kujala (accordion), Sibelius-Academy Concert Hall, Mar 2002

Arrangements for Solo Instrument(s) and Orchestra

Egberto Gismonti: Forro (acc solo + big band) 12′
Fp: Veli Kujala (accordion), UMO Jazz Orchestra cond. by Kirmo Lintinen, Helsinki Savoy Theatre, Sep 12 2017

Egberto Gismonti: Suite de Gismonti (acc solo, 2222 2210 01 strings)   25′
Fp: Veli Kujala (accordion), Vaasa City Orchestra cond. by Hannu Koivula, Vaasa, Sep 2008

Egberto Gismonti: Forro (acc solo, wind orchestra)   12′
Fp: Veli Kujala (accordion), Östgöta Blåsarsymfoniker cond. by Hannu Koivula, Linköping Konserthuset, Oct 2007

Astor Piazzolla: Vuelvo al Sur (guitar solo, acc solo, 1111 2000 01+strings)   8′
Fp: Jarmo Julkunen (guitar), Veli Kujala (accordion), Kymi Sinfonietta cond. Jani Telaranta, Kotkan konserttitalo, Aug 2004

Arrangements for the Stage

KadosKissa (2009-2010) 40′
Children’s opera for soprano, tenor and bariton accompanied by accordion and violoncello. Libretto by Erja Alander. Music by Leoncavallo, Mozart, Rossini, Tschaikovsky and Verdi.
Commissioned by the Finnish National Opera.
Fp: Margarita Nacer-Leinonen (soprano), Ville Salonen (tenor), Riku Pelo (barytone), Markus Hohti (violoncello) and Veli Kujala (accordion). Finnish National Opera, March 2010.

Maisteri Raiskion oopperaoppitunti (Professor Raiskio’s Opera Lesson) (2005) 45′
A lesson for young people (13-18 years) about the history of opera for actor, mezzo-soprano and accordion. Written by Aki Raiskio.
Commissioned by the Finnish National Opera.
Fp: Ulla Raiskio (mezzo-soprano), Aki Raiskio (actor) and Veli Kujala (accordion), Finnish National Opera, April 2005.

Kahlekuningas ja karkuri (The King of Chains and the Runaway Princess) (2004) 35′
Children’s opera for soprano, tenor and bariton accompanied by two accordions. Libretto by Erja Alander. Music by Mozart, Mussorgsky, Rossini, R. Strauss &Verdi.
Commissioned by the Finnish National Opera.
Fp: Anu Hostikka (soprano), Juha Hostikka (tenor), Mika Nikander (barytone) and Susanne & Veli Kujala (accordion), Finnish National Opera, October 2004.

Kultainen lohikäärme (The Golden Dragon) (2001) 35′
Children’s opera for soprano, tenor and bariton accompanied by two accordions. Libretto by Reetta Ristimäki and Markku Arokanto. Music by Mozart, Puccini, Rossini and Verdi.
Commissioned by the Finnish National Opera.
Fp: Reetta Ristimäki (soprano), Ilkka Hämäläinen (tenor), Juha Hostikka (barytone) and Susanne & Veli Kujala (accordion), Finnish National Opera, September 2001.