Matti Heininen’s relentless pursuit of excellence is exemplified in his orchestral work, towards the extraordinary adventures of Baron Munchausen for FRSO and Gustavo Gimeno, a score so detailed and rich that printing it required special arrangements. Like Munchausen’s tales, Heininen’s music pushes the boundaries of reality, exploding into absurdity. Yet, beneath the surface, the music is controlled by a deep understanding of its underlying forces.

In 2017, Heininen’s first opera Rakkauden ateria, initiated by Jorma Hynninen, was hailed by the press as ”challenging for the audience and performers alike”. That same year Spettrale, premiered by Trio SurPlus at the Akademie Schloss Solitude was described as ”exceptional show of talent” by Der Neue Merker. Since then, Spettrale has received numerous performances, notably by Ensemble KNM Berlin.

Winner of the Freja Prize 2022 and finalist in the Mauricio Kagel Competition 2016, Heininen has over 50 works to his name and continues to take on new commissions. His 2021 Composer Portrait Concert, broadcast by Yle Radio 1, featured four world premieres. Tampere Biennale 2024 presented two more, including one by Defunensemble. Heininen follows the path set in Spettrale: freedom and fun emerge from control—without discipline, we remain mere spectres of our potential selves.