Ari Nieminen in memoriam

Publishing Manager Ari Nieminen passed away on 14 February 2026 at the age of 73. Since the 1980s, he was a central and respected figure in the field of Finnish music publishing. He began his career at Fazer Music as an editor and later continued at Warner/Chappell Music Finland as Production and Publishing Manager. When Warner discontinued its Nordic art music publishing, Nieminen played a key role in securing the continuity of this important work at the newly founded Fennica Gehrman in 2002.
Throughout his career, Ari Nieminen contributed significantly to the development of the field through various positions of trust, including serving on the boards of Teosto and the Finnish Music Publishers Association. He combined deep musical knowledge, thorough publishing expertise, and a strong ethical commitment to the rights and position of composers. For him, music was simultaneously culture, craft, and long-term responsibility.
As a colleague, he was widely appreciated. His integrity, fairness, and warm-hearted presence created an atmosphere of trust around him. Analytical thinking, calmness, and thoughtful consideration were among his strengths, and with his gentle humour he fostered a sense of safety and ease in his working community.
Ari Nieminen leaves behind a lasting and profound legacy. He will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, friends, and the entire music community, for whom he worked quietly, steadily, and with unwavering dedication.