Sanna Salmenkallio HARPA winner 2022 for her score for Virpi Suutari’s AALTO

FINNISH Nomination text:
​”Aalto”, the feature length documentary by Virpi Suutari tells the story of Alvar Aalto, the world famous Finnish architect and designer. This powerful character and the equally strong female counterparts and working partners in his life are being followed throughout both their international and national endeavours. Sanna Salmenkallio’s music matches both the architectonic feel of the subject and the vigor of the character that is Aalto. In a way it seems the score music, like Aalto’s work, makes great use of many conventions that form their own language when combined. it’s great to notice how much mileage can be gotten from familiar sounds when used decisively and this score reflects the art of mr. Aalto wonderfully. Surprise, elegance and a strong sense of purpose are present from start to finish, Salmenkallio’s music really gives life to this great documentary.
For me music is a way to explore the world. I compose with curiosity.
 
Sanna Salmenkallio is one of the most experienced film composers in Finland. She has composed the score for more than 30 films, mostly artistically ambitious documentary features. As a composer she has worked with symphony orchestras, smaller ensembles, and electronic music.

Salmenkallio has created her own style by mixing classical background to different contemporary and experimental elements. Her strength, in addition to composing, is a deep understanding of dramaturgy. She has won Nordic Film Award HARPA 2022 for the best score in Scandinavian countries, FINLAND AWARD by Finnish Ministery Of Culture, four times JUSSI Awards for the best film score in Finland. She has also composed lots of music for
theatre and dance performances. She loves experimental film and theatre as well and works regularly with community art projects.
Sanna Salmenkallio has both classical music education from Sibelius Academy and an education as Sound Designer from Theatre Academy, which creates an inspiring dialogue between sound and music. She has also a passion for Arabic music, which she studied in Cairo. As a violinist she is specialized on improvisation. 
Working languages : Finnish, English, Swedish. Also, able to work with Danish and French material.