Ville Aslak
Raasakka
Ville Aslak Raasakka is a Finnish composer specialized in ecology. His works are based on bioacoustic recordings, environmental research and data from macroalgae, coal mines, soil insects, oil rigs, tree roots, power plants and marine microbes.
Raasakka studied with Veli-Matti Puumala at the Sibelius Academy (Helsinki) and privately with Georges Aperghis (Paris).
In 2026-27 Raasakka works on commissions for the Rainy days Festival (Philharmonie Luxembourg), Yarn/Wire (New York City), Riot Ensemble (London), Chamber Orchestra Avanti! (FI), Sirja Nironen (FI), Tampere Biennale (FI) and the world-renowned vocal ensemble Neue Vocalsolisten (Stuttgart).
"The world premiere by Ville Raasakka picks up to denounce the lack of forest protection in Finland. 'The Harvest' lets a chainsaw massacre roar."
– Christoph Irrgeher, Wiener Zeitung
"An independent and convincing voice"
– Michael Rebhahn, Neue Zeitschirft für Musik
Engagements in 2024-2026
BBC Symphony Orchestra // London, United Kingdom
Rainy days Festival // Philharmonie Luxembourg
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival // United Kingdom
ISCM World New Music Days // Lisbon, Portugal
Mivos Quartet // New York City, United States
Lorelei Dowling, bassoon, Klangforum Wien // Vienna, Austria
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity // Banff, Canada
Yarn/Wire // New York City, United States
London Design Museum // London, United Kingdom
Kaisa Kortelainen, flute // Helsinki, Finland
Annette Bik, violin, Klangforum Wien // Vienna, Austria
Riot Ensemble // United Kingdom
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra // Turku, Finland
Neue Vocalsolisten // Stuttgart, Germany
Chamber Orchestra Avanti! // Helsinki, Finland
Upcoming Works
Ballast – Cello Concerto (2026) 15'
Concerto for Cello, Electronics and Chamber Orchestra
Commissioned by Sirja Nironen, Tampere Biennale and the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (FI)
Heat (2026) 20'
for 13 Percussionists and text projection
Together with media theorist Jussi Parikka
Commissioned by The Rainy days Festival (Philharmonie Luxembourg), for the Yarn/Wire (NYC) and the Riot Ensemble (UK)
Violin Etudes (2026-27) 30'
Series of Etudes for Violin
Commissioned by Annette Bik (Klangforum Wien), Vienna, Austria
Complete Works for Flute (2026)
Album of chamber works for Flute
Kaisa Kortelainen (FI), flute, Tuija Hakkila (FI), piano and Petri Kumela (FI), guitar
