Instrumentation: vn, va
Cecilia Damström (b. 1988) is a Finnish-Swedish composer whose multicultural and multilingual upbringing in Helsinki deeply informs her music. Known for its emotional intensity, drama, and harmonic richness, her work often carries a strong social and environmental message.
Her compositions tackle pressing global themes—Tundo! is dedicated to refugees, Nixus to mental health, and her environmentally themed works such as ICE (In Case of Emergency), Extinctions, Permafrost, and the children’s opera Planet of the Animals reflect her deep commitment to climate issues. She has been referred to as “the Greta Thunberg of music.”
In 2022, Damström became the first female classical composer to win the prestigious Teosto Prize for ICE, commissioned by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra during its tenure as European Green Capital. Her orchestral work Extinctions, commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, is nominated for the 2024 Nordic Council Music Prize.
Her music also explores historical and feminist themes, such as in her trilogy of quintets inspired by Aino Sibelius, Minna Canth, and Helene Schjerfbeck.
Damström studied composition with Hannu Pohjannoro at Tampere University of Applied Sciences and later with Luca Francesconi at the Malmö Academy of Music. Since completing her studies, she has worked full-time as a composer, with a growing body of orchestral, chamber, choral, and operatic works. Upcoming commissions include a major orchestral work for the Helsinki Philharmonic and a full-length opera on a Sámi theme.
Her music is performed widely across Europe, North America, and at international festivals.
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