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 instant 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.

Born in Turku in 1952 and residing in Berlin since 1985, Harri Sjöström is the founder and artistic director of the SoundScapes concert and festival series. As a soprano saxophonist, he has initiated numerous projects within modern improvised music throughout his 50-year career, collaborating with many renowned avant-garde musicians. Sjöström aims to create international forums for the exchange of musicians practicing spontaneous composition across generations, as well as to promote the visibility of this art form.

Musicians:

Liz Allbee (quadraphonic trumpet), Cristiano Calgagnile (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), Phil Wachsmann (violin & electronics), Els Vandeweyer (vibraphone & percussion)

Doors open: 6:45 PM (on both days)

No age limit / 18+, alcohol service in the lobby area

Duration: 2,5 hours, including 30 min intermission (on both days)

Program |Friday. 2.5.2025

Starts 19:00

Set one / 60 min. / 15 min. / group

THE ETERNAL BEGINNING

quintet
Calcagnile – Edwards – Freedman – Kaufmann – Kääriäinen
drums & percussion – double bass – bass clarinet – piano – guitar & electronics

LUMIUNI

duo
Allbee – Castrillón
trumpet – cello

WE MEET AGAIN

duo
Mureddu – Wachsmann
piano – violin & electronics

JUST EIKÄ MELKKEEN

quartet
Kujala – Schiaffini – Sjöström – Vandeweyer
accordion – trombone – saxophone – vibraphone & percussion

Set two / 60 min. / 15 min. / group

TÄHTITYTÖT

trio
Allbee – Freedman – Vandeweyer
trumpet – bass clarinet – vibraphone & percussion

THREE METERS DOG

Trio
Castrillón – Kaufmann – Kujala
cello – piano – accordion

PIKKUPALAT

duo
Schiaffini – Wachsmann
trombone – violin & electronics

MAUSTEPOJAT

quintet

Calcagnile – Edwards – Kääriäinen – Mureddu – Sjöström

drums & percussion – double bass – guitar & electronics – piano – soprano & sopranino sax

Program | Sat. 3.5.2025

Starts 19:00

Set one / 60 min.

15 min. / group

UPANDOUT

quartet
Calcagnile – Kaufmann – Mureddu – Vandeweyer
drums & percussion – piano – piano – vibraphone

SIIKA QUINTET

quintet
Castrillón – Edwards – Kääriäinen – Kujala – Wachsmann
cello – double bass – guitar & electronics – accordion – violin & electronics

TUULISET

quartet
Allbee – Freedman – Schiaffini – Sjöström
trumpet – bass clarinet – trombone – soprano & sopranino saxophone

Set two / 60 min. / 15 min. / group

JUST NYT!

sextet
Allbee – Edwards – Kaufmann – Kujala – Sjöström – Wachsmann
trumpet – double bass – piano – accordion – soprano & sopranino saxophone – violin & electronics

NOVOIVOI

trio
Calcagnile – Castrillón – Kääriäinen
drums & percussion – cello – guitar & electronics

LOOPS

quartet
Freedman – Mureddu – Schiaffini – Vandeweyer
bass clarinet – piano – trombone – vibraphone & percussion

13 – 4 – TEPPO

tutti
In memory of Teppo Hauta-aho

Allbee – Calcagnile – Castrillón – Edwards – Freedman – Kaufmann – Kujala -Kääriäinen – Mureddu – Schiaffini – Sjöström – Vandeweyer – Wachsmann

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.