Sebastian Fagerlund

b. 1972

Finnish

Summary

Sebastian Fagerlund has established himself as one of the most prominent European composers of his generation. He studied composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki under the guidance of Erkki Jokinen and received his diploma in composition in 2004. Important aspects of Fagerlund’s work are his interest in large-scale forms and his profoundly held view of music as an expression of fundamental questions and existential experiences. His works have been commissioned and performed by numerous major orchestras, leading conductors and musicians all over the world, and span a wide variety of genres from opera to chamber and solo.

Biography

Sebastian Fagerlund (b.1972) has established himself as one of the most prominent European composers of his generation. He studied composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki under the guidance of Erkki Jokinen and received his diploma in composition in 2004.

Important aspects of Fagerlund’s work are his interest in large-scale forms and a profound view of music expressing fundamental questions and existential experiences. Fagerlund was described in BBC Music Magazine as displaying ‘boundless technical resource at the service of a considerable imagination.’  A highly virtuosic instrumental feel and strong sense of musicianship is noticeable in all of his works, creating musical dramas in which powerful expression is combined with intensity and vivid communication, as well as an openness towards different musical traditions.  

Works by Fagerlund have been commissioned and performed by numerous major orchestras, outstanding conductors and musicians all over the world. His output spans opera to chamber and solo works, the most significant pieces being his operas and works for orchestra. Performers of his works include the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, NAC Orchestra, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and he has worked closely with conductors and musicians such as Hannu Lintu, Anne Sofie von Otter, Ismo Eskelinen, Edward Gardner, Nicolas Altstaedt, Liza Ferschtman, Dima Slobodeniouk, Pekka Kuusisto, Sakari Oramo, Christoffer Sundqvist, Osmo Vänskä and John Storgårds.

Fagerlund has been guest composer at numerous festivals around the world, such as Aspen Music Festival, Baltic Sea Festival and Kuhmo Festival.

In 2011, Fagerlund was awarded Finland’s renowned Teosto Prize, one of the largest music prizes in Scandinavia, for his orchestral work Ignite. In the same year Ignite was also selected as a recommended work at the International Rostrum of Composers 2011 in Vienna. Between 2013-2019 he was artistic director of the RUSK Chamber Music Festival in Jakobstad, Finland. In the 2016/17 season, Fagerlund was appointed Composer in Residence at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. His opera Höstsonaten (Autumn Sonata) was premiered at the Finnish National Opera as part of its 2017/18 season to great critical acclaim. The Financial Times described the opera as ‘Striking, Superb.’  In 2018, the recording of his Bassoon Concerto Mana received the BBC Music Magazine Awards in the Concerto Category. In season 2021/22, Fagerlund was appointed Artist in Residence with the Tapiola Sinfonietta in Finland. For the 22/23-24/25 seasons Fagerlund is appointed Composer in Residence with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

His music is available on the record label BIS.

Sebastian Fagerlund's works are published by Edition Peters.

https://sebastianfagerlund.com

News

Performances

5th December 2024

SOLOISTS
Christoffer Sundqvist, clarinet
PERFORMERS
Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
CONDUCTOR
Eugene Tzigane
LOCATION
Kuopio Concert Hall, Kuopio, Finland

2nd April 2025

PERFORMERS
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
CONDUCTOR
Jukka-Pekka Saraste
LOCATION
Helsinki Music Centre, Helsinki, Finland

3rd April 2025

PERFORMERS
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
CONDUCTOR
Jukka-Pekka Saraste
LOCATION
Helsinki Music Centre, Helsinki, Finland

30th January 2026

PERFORMERS
Finnish National Opera
CONDUCTOR
Hannu Lintu
LOCATION
Opera House, Helsinki, Finland

Features

  • Catalogue Classics: Jean Sibelius - Symphony No 5
    • Catalogue Classics: Jean Sibelius - Symphony No 5
    • The fifth symphony by Jean Sibelius serves as a powerful foundation for any concert programme, offering a rich tapestry of themes that can be beautifully enhanced by a wide range of complementary orchestral works. Be inspired by music from the Wise Music catalogue to craft a well-rounded and cohesive concert programme around exploration of nature, nationalism, or resilience.
  • Curtain-Up | Concert Openers
    • Curtain-Up | Concert Openers
    • Explore engaging, creative, and captivating orchestral openers for your upcoming programs. Set the stage for memorable musical experiences after the curtain comes up.

Photos

Discography