Lauri Porra (1977) is a Finnish composer, performer, and curator. He has deep roots in classical and rock music. Porra has considerable experience in different fields of music and a long and successful track record of international collaborations. His music has been performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera, among many others. Porra’s “solo” discography contains six instrumental albums. His album repertoire ranges from the orchestral arrangements on his bass concerto “Entropia” to the electric rock-jazz fusion of “Flyover” and the experimental electronic ambient of “Myriad.” Alongside his composition work for orchestras, films, and other media, Porra is the bassist in the renowned Finnish power metal band Stratovarius, with whom he has recorded six albums and performed concerts in over 50 countries. On Finland’s independence day 2024 Lauri’s latest work Ääniä was unveiled, the piece was commisioned by the Finnish ministry for foreign affairs to be the official soundscape of Finland. Lauri works as the artistic director of Turku Music Festival, Vantaa Orchestra and the Unelmien Heinola festival. In 2016, Porra received the Nordisk Popularauktors NPU Award and was nominated for a HARPA Nordic Film Composer Music Award. Porra comes from a family of professional musicians stretching back four generations, the most famous of whom is the iconic composer Jean Sibelius.
A bold, beautiful and bonkers suite, it uses the words of astronomer Esko Valtaoja, narrated by Stephen Fry – here an intergalactic Sir David Attenborough, illuminating the journey of the carbon atom which serves as our central protagonist.
– Independent.co.uk
With Vantaa Orchestra powering the engine room, the work is galvanized by experimental improviser Ringa Manner’s voice. From delicate and demure to yearning, powerful and primal, it’s standing ovations all round by the tumultuous end.
– Prog Magazine
Porra condenses the history of the cosmos into a single artistic moment. Porra’s lulling harmonies tell a story, capturing a feeling through music.
– Aesthetica Magazine (April/May 2024)
There is an impressive, ambitious and distinctive voice at work here, and what an ear he has for colour! He is also a prodigious bassist.
– MUSICWEB-INTERNATIONAL.COM
Porra shows considerable skill and imagination in tracing this journey over a long arc. I am eager to hear more of his music.
– SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL
The flights of Lahti Symphony together with a rock band creates a contemporary music classic of the modern times, in which Porra celebrates with his virtuosity technique
– ILKKA
Fusion and Progressive music does not get any better than this!
– AAMULEHTI
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