BIOGRAPHY
Ilari Hylkilä is a Finnish composer and melody lover, whose music has often been described as "cinematic".
Hylkilä's works span across various genres, ranging from symphony orchestras and sinfoniettas to wind bands, chamber ensembles, a cappella groups, big bands, and folk music groups. Most of his music is commissioned concert music, although it has been used in audiovisual productions as well. Hylkilä's music has been performed at many major festivals such as Basel Tattoo, Avenches Tattoo, Sweden International Tattoo and Hamina Tattoo. He has also written music for OVO, one of the most successful Aesthetic Group Gymnastics groups in the world, for their gala shows and competitions, including the World Championships.
Ilari Hylkilä has won 5 composition competitions and has been among the best in several others.
His music has been performed and/or recorded by various ensembles, including the Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Vantaa Orchestra (Vantaan viihdeorkesteri), The Joensuu City Orchestra (Joensuun kaupunginorkesteri), University of Helsinki Symphony Orchestra, Symphony orchestra of the University of Jyväskylä, Finnish Symphonic Wind Professionals (FSWP), the Guards Band, the Dragoon Band, The Navy Band, the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defense Forces, Ostrobothnia Jazz Orchestra, Suffolk Symphony Orchestra, UBC Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Rowan Wind Ensemble, and many others.
Hylkilä currently resides in Espoo, Finland. He was born in Toholampi in the province of Western Finland.
Prizes
- Whispers of the Sea
The first prize (shared) in the 2nd Markku Johansson competition in composition - Zembaloo
Runner-Up in the 2019 SMP Press Composition Competition (The large instrumental ensemble contemporary music category) - Metalfare
First prize in Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra's (YS, Ylioppilaskunnan Soittajat) 85th-anniversary fanfare composition contest in 2011.
- In the Midsummer Night's Mist (Kesäyön usvassa)
The first prize (shared) in Laulujen Loiskeet folk songwriting competition in 2010
- Sine
Third prize in the Ringtone & Concert Competition held in Cracow in 2010
- Hero Story (Sankaritarina)
The first prize in march composition competition Sotapojan Taivas in 2008
- Unknown Legend
Audience’s favorite song in a wind band composition competition called “Suut messingillä” in 2005
- Honor March (Kunniamarssi)
The first prize in march composition competition Sotapojan Taivas in 2004
Works for Symphony Orchestra or Sinfonietta
- Whispers of the Sea (2023)
- Dark(2017)
- Taiga (2016)
- Waltz (2014 - 2017)
- Hero Tale
- Yet (2017)
- Zembaloo (2014-2017)
- Saga (2011-2017)
- Sankar
- Metalfare ( 2011)
- Return to the Indian Valley (Paluu intiaanilaaksoon) ( 2002)
- Metsän Salaisuus (2002)
- Satu (2001)
- Varjojen Tanssi (1999)
- Missing a Lost Friend (1999)
Works for Wind Orchestra (Concert Band, Symphonic Band or Marching Band)
- Tuba Concerto (to be premiered in 2024)
- Young Jugglers (2023)
- Solemn Procession/Juhallinen kulkue (to be premiered in 2023 )
- Mirage (2021)
- Kaikuja Keski-Suomesta (2021)
- Lapland Imagery (2019)
- Taiga (2016-2018)
- Dark (2017-2018)
- Saga (2018)
- TUR (2018)
- My Christmas Dream (2016), was premiered in Mäntsälä, 7th December 2016
- Into the Wind (2015), was premiered in Musiikkitalo (Helsinki) on 23rd November 2015
- Wonderworld (2014), premiere in Ruskatrööttä, Lieksa, 5th October 2014
- Waltz (2014), premiere in Ruskatrööttä, Lieksa, 5th October 2014
- Zembaloo (2014), premiere in Ruskatrööttä, Lieksa, 5th October 2014
- Old Jolly Roger (2013-2014), premiere in Ruskatrööttä, Lieksa, 5th October 2014
- Heritage (2013-2014)
- Metalfare (arrangend for wind band by Robert J. Ambrose)
- Sankar(2012)
- Nimia (2012)
- Cinclus Arctica (2011)
- Katruskha (2009)
- Tristesse (2009)
- Dance of Giants (2009)
- Sinia (2009),
- Sankaritarina - Hero Tale or Hero Story ( 2008) New version in 2015
- The Zest (2007)
- Unknown Legend (2005), publisher: SPOL-kustannus
- Honor March (Kunniamarssi) (2004)
- Force (2003), publisher: Blosari Edition.
- Reflection of Destiny (2003)
- Return to Indian Valley (Paluu Intiaanilaaksoon), publisher: Blosari Edition.
Works for Big Band
- Running Away from Impossible Space Spy Girls in Kokkola, was premiered in Kokkola in November 2016
Works for Piano and Soloist
- Surulaulu, for violin and piano, the premiere in Krakow, October 2011
- Cinclus Arctica for piano and solo flute, 2011
Works for soloists
- Shade (for piano)
- Solaine (for flute)
- Katruskha (for flute)
- Katruskha (for clarinet)
Works for chamber ensembles
- Amor Vincit Omnia (Soprano, Piccolo, Oboe, Alto violin, Bass Clarinet, Percussions)
- Katruskha (for wind quintet)
- Katruksha (for clarinet quartet)
Vocal music
- My Christmas Dream
- True Love
- Golden Fells (Singer Ánnámáret & Concert Band)
- Dark (Soprano & symphony orchestra or concert band)
- Amor Vincit Omnia (Soprano, Piccolo, Oboe, Alto violin, Bass Clarinet, Percussions)
- Tangolaulaja (2013). One of the top 12 in Seinäjoki Tango Festival´s (Tangomarkkinat) tango composition competition.
- Muistojen maa (soprano-alto-tenor-basso) (2012-2013)
- Rikas Mies (lyrics by Piipa Kallio) (2011)
- Kesäyön usvassa (2010)
- Jouluna syntyy rakkaus (lyrics byAino Suhola) (2009)
- Tähti on syttynyt yöhön (lyrics by Anna-Mari Kaskinen) (2007)
- Jeesus syntyi pieneen talliin (lyrics by Anna-Mari Kaskinen) (2007)
- Come Around to Me (200?)
Arrangements
- Happy Birthday (soprano-alto-alto-bass)
- Konstan Joululaulu (symphony orchestra & sinfonietta), composed by Konsta Jylhä
- Hetkeksi en sulle rupia (male choir), composed by Lauri Tähkä
Recordings
- Yet, Performed by Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Listen to Yet on Spotify
- Saga, Performed by Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Listen to Saga on Spotify
- Waltz Unforgettable, Performed by Bratislava Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Listen to Waltz Unforgettable on Spotify.
- Sankar, Performed by the Guards Band, Pro patria - Suomi 100 vuotta ja Puolustusvoimat 100 vuotta -juhlalevy.
- Sankar, performer Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces. recording: Basel Tattoo 2012 (Live)
- Muistojen maa, performer Hymnos kvartetti. Recording: Karjala kaunis, kaivattu maa
- Unknown Legend, performer: Tuulimyllyn Puhaltajat, recording: Tuulivoimaa
- Kunniamarssi, performer: Panssarisoittokunta, recording: Parolan marssi
- Varjojen Tanssi, performer: Jyväskylän yliopiston sinfoniaorkesteri, recording: T´an go
- Tähti on syttynyt yöhön, performers: Annami Hylkilä & Mika Jämsä
- Jeesus syntyi pieneen talliin, performers: Annami Hylkilä & Mika Jämsä