Kaija Saariaho is a prominent member of a group of Finnish composers and performers who are making a worldwide impact. She studied composition in Helsinki, Freiburg and Paris (research in Ircam) where she has lived since 1982. Her music and her characteristically luxuriant and mysterious textures are often created by combining live music and electronics.

Although much of her catalogue comprises Symphonic and chamber works, notably vocal works, operas like L’Amour de Loin (a.o. in Met Opera New York, Adriana Mater and Emilie, Only The Sound Remains in collaboration with Peter Sellars and Innocence premiered (2021) at Aix- en-Provence international Festival.

Major composing awards (The Grawemeyer Award, Polar Music Prize, BBVA Foundation,Toru Takemitsu …). The Park Avenue Armory and New York Philharmonic presented a celebration of her orchestral music with visual accompaniment. February 2017 saw Paris come alive with her work when she was featured composer of Radio France Festival Presences. Premieres of orchestral works by New York Philharmonic, Boston, Los Angeles by Gustavo Dudamel, Concertgebouw,Tokyo orchestras …