VIIMEINEN VALSSI
Hi, I'm Satu Maria.
A passionate composer and musician
with a desire to tell a story and
stir your inner narrative.
SOME OF THE WORKS
I'M MOST PROUD OF
My Role
Style
Instrumentation
Composer
Musician
Producer
Classical
Ambient
Solo piano
Prayer/ soaking music
Mixing and mastering
Richard Phillip Wolff/
EMERGING HOPE
2021
If you are leaving
something behind
There is always beauty
Even in letting go
Trust is the key
To emerging new hope
Let it grow
in the secret of
the sleeping soil
Emerging Hope is my first solo piano collection, released in July 2021. It consists of three calm, soft and meditative pieces Breathe (2018), Emerging Hope (2021) and Healing (2020).
The composing process of each piece relies largely on the improvisation methodology I have been developing and using in my artistic work during the years.
The music can also be described as "prayer music", as improvisation in my life is also seamlessly linked to spirituality - I perceive it as a prayer that moves beyond the realm of words. Thus the methodology used carries a deep spiritual significance for me.
T A I V A S T O
2020
This work is a 16 -minute soundscape composed for a collaborative art exhibition
"T A I V A S T O - The Sacred Winged Beings of the Vanishing Block", held with visual artist Tuija Ihanta. Thematically the exhibition aimed on giving a voice to the birds and the vitality in them. It was also an alarm call for the disappearing nature of biodiversity. The exhibition also aimed on giving a voice to other kind of holy, winged beings.
Soundscape follows a narrative written by
Tuija Ihanta, being the composer's interpretation of a journey with varying landscapes, topped with the deeply expressive vocals of Riikka Lehtonen and her mysterious, at times tension creating monochord. Local birdwatcher Eetu Paljakka has provided part of the bird sounds, which were incorporated and mixed to fit the soundscape.
The listener is taken to a meandering path through the themes of loneliness, wandering dystopia, celestial battle, and also otherworldly, fragile beauty and emerging hope.
Style
Instrumentation
Ambient
Classical
Electronic
Orchestral
Sound design
T A I V A S T O - art exhibition
CREDITS OF THE SOUNDSCAPE
My Role
Composer
Sound designer
Musician
Producer
Tuija Ihanta
Riikka Lehtonen
Eetu Paljakka
Script writer
Director
Assistant
sound designer
Singer
Musician
(monochord,
wind chimes)
Bird sound recordings of:
Common Crane,
Willow Tit,
Barn Swallow
CHAPTER IV
2019-2020
Are you starting a new chapter in your life?
Co-written with musician and producer Theo Keys, Chapter IV is a hopeful and uplifting song for all of us in transitions in life. The song was also published as a debut single of The Core - a duo born in the writing process.
My Role
Composer
Musician
Style
Jazz pop
Smooth jazz
Instrumentation
Solo saxophone
Band
VIIMEINEN VALSSI
2018-2019
"The Last Waltz" echoes the bittersweet longings and the endearing moments of a life lived. It reminisces the good, grieves the past mistakes, evokes the questions of eternity.
Composed as a commissioned work for a horn-piano duo and later as a chamber ensemble arrangement for French Horn, string quartet and piano, premiered in Tapiola Sinfonietta's chamber music concert Con Corno by the horn soloist Pasi Pihlaja.
SEA VOYAGE
2017
Is an orchestral work with a blend of classical post minimalist elements, sound effects and a flavor of jazz influence.
It's a marine journey inspired by the conversations with an elderly sailor. Originally the work also created the musical landscape of a sound installation in a multimedia art exhibition.
My Role
Composer
Musician
Style
Classical
Jazz
Cinematic
Instrumentation
Orhestral
Sound Effects
SUITE DEL RISTORO
2014
Is a composition built upon a structure every story is said to more or less follow. Forming a complete piece of 12 mins the four part Suite includes also a dance choreography. Suite Del Ristoro is my first composition and the story of how I discovered composing.
Location
Dislocation
Re-location
Restoration
My Role
Composer
Musician
Style
Classical
Jazz
Instrumentation
Strings, piano/ keys, sax, accordion, voice
PIANO IMPROVISATIONS
A series of live and studio improvisations.
Working with piano freely is at its best a work of art and also many times a starting point of a larger work and a composing process.
Get familiar with my improvisations and hear more about one of the key elements of my creative process.
My Role
Style
Instrumentation
Composer
Musician
Classical
Ambient
Jazz
Solo piano
