Ville Komppa is a versatile musician and music theorist, working widely on differents fields of classical music. Komppa teaches music theory, history and analysis at University of the Arts Helsinki Sibelius Academy, department of composition and music theory. He is a PhD student at the same department and is preparing a dissertation on “Improvisation and Ensemble Work in Teaching Music Theory” under professor Lauri Suurpää.
Komppa’s compositions are performed both in Finland and abroad, and he has arranged music for various ensembles like the Helsinki Polytech Orchestra, La Tempesta chamber orchestra and Liminka Music Weeks ensemble. On Summer 2010 his arrangement of Berlioz’ Nuits d’ete was performed by soprano Lilli Paasikivi and an ensemble conducted by Okko Kamu at Pyhäniemi Mansion and Ruovesi summer concerts. Komppa’s latest large scale work was an chamber ensemble arrangement of Il Matrimonio segreto by Domenico Cimarosa commissioned by Savonlinna Music Academy and Ralf Gothóni Summer 2011.
Komppa is the artistic co-leader of Knight Street Ensemble, which has performed large scale chamber works at music festivals, including Igor Stravinsky’s Soldier Tale at SibaFest music festival, a production which Komppa also conducted. 2011–17 Komppa was the artistic director and conductor of Helsinki Symphonic Winds.
Previous Studies
Ville Komppa studied music theory, clarinet, composition, conducting and orchestration at Sibelius Academy, achieving a Master’s Degree in music theory in 2008 under professor Lauri Suurpää. In his Master’s Thesis he studied the interaction of orchestration and voice-leading structure in the slow movements of Mozart’s piano concertos K. 482 and 491.
Additionally, in 2002-03, Komppa studied in Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts, concentrating on composition and orchestration under professors Kurt Schwertsik and Ertugrul Sevsay. In Spring 2009 Komppa studied conducting and orchestration under Rudy Palmer at Mannes School of Music in New York, with a grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation. He has also attended conducting master classes under Jorma Panula, conducting Kuopio City Orchestra and Pori Sinfonietta.
Other activities
Komppa is an active organizer and a founding member of the Kamari chamber music society and its House of Nobility Summer Concerts series. He also hosts the Tunne Orkesterisi open lectures on symphony orchestra and its repertoire at Helsinki Music Centre.
As a freelance journalist, Komppa has worked for Yleisradio (Finnish Broadcasting Company) and has written featured articles for various music publications in Finland.
Ville Komppa has got grants for studying and working from Finnish Cultural Foundation and Pro Musica Foundation.
