Can you capture the essence of a country in a piece of music? Finland wanted to find out. The soundscape, composed by Lauri Porra (pictured above), was launched on December 6, 2024, Finland’s 107th Independence Day!

As the first country in the world, Finland has created an official national soundscape. The musical work named Ääniä is written by Lauri Porra, one of the country’s most celebrated composers, and takes the listener on a journey through the impressions, seasons, and serene beauty of the happiest country in the world. Ääniä, meaning “sounds” or “voices” in Finnish, consists of 15 compositions, a total of one hour of music.

Porra began creating sounds that would remind him of Finland, initially for his own personal use. This project has now evolved to Finland’s official soundscape commissioned by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, a musical interpretation of the qualities Porra perceives as quintessentially Finnish. Finland is the first country in the world with its own, officially composed soundscape.

When describing his Finland, Porra refers to words like peace, quiet, and safety, qualities found both in the Finnish people and in the landscape. He believes that even our geography, culture, and value system promote a calm, free existence, allowing for tolerance, diversity, and the freedom to breathe.

Composer, performer, and curator Lauri Porra (born 1977) is a fourth-generation musician. His great-grandfather was the iconic Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Porra has carved out a distinctive space in the world of music, bridging classical music with rock, pop, and ethnic styles. He has collaborated with prestigious ensembles such as the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera.

Porra's diverse discography covers a broad range, from film music to his latest work, Matter and Time, featuring Stephen Fry as the narrator. Porra is also known as the bassist for the Finnish metal band Stratovarius and as the artistic director of Vantaa Orchestra – Finland’s largest symphony orchestra devoted to popular music – and co-founder (alongside his wife, conductor Dalia Stasevska) of the Unelmien Heinola city festival. Between 2025-2027, Porra will serve as the artistic director of Turku Music Festival. He is also the audio supervisor of Moomin Characters and has created the brand’s audio identity.

Listen to Ääniä on SoundCloud.

Musicians on the Ääniä musical work:
Kasmir Uusitupa, violin; Maija Linkola, violin; Vuokko Lahtinen, viola; Petja Kainulainen, cello; Antti Kujanpää, piano; Aili Järvelä, pump organ; Eija Kankaanranta, kantele; Verneri Pohjola, trumpet; Miika Jämsä, tuba; Claire Chase, contrabass flute; Pekka Niskanen, bass clarinet; Áron Mojzer, bassoon; Sampo Kuusisto, marimba; Samuli Kosminen, percussion; Pete Korpela, percussion; Timo Kämäräinen, acoustic guitar; Lauri Porra, bass, guitar and additional instruments