Ruohola, Robert

*1995

Robert Ruohola (b. 1995) is a young, prolific and prize-winning composer writing in a delightfully original, vibrant style. His catalogue includes works for various line-ups from childrens’ choir to symphony orchestra that have been performed at a number of festivals in Finland and abroad.

Ruohola studied composing at the Sibelius Academy with Juhani Nuorvala and Lauri Kilpiö and at the Royal Academy with David Sawer. He has also studied composition and orchestral conducting at the University of Southern California in 2022 with Ted Hearne and Larry Livingston.

Ruohola’s works, numbering over 40, have been awarded in various competitions. Klami Remixed for orchestra was one of the recommended pieces in the 2024 International Uuno Klami Composition Competition. Other works include Gates of Light (Valon portit) for ensemble written for Pierrot Ensemble in 2021. Dream of a Beautiful Mermaid (2020) is an enigmatic orchestral piece inviting the listener into a soundscape that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Consonance and the Cosmos (Konsonanssi ja avaruus) is a 27-minute tone poem for orchestra and a meditation about the life cycle of the Universe inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien’s creation myth Ainulindalë.  Peijaiset (2021-25) was sparked off by Ruohola’s confrontation with a bear in 2015 – an impressive animal that he identifies with. The title of this orchestral piece refers to an ancient Finnish ritual held to honor a hunted bear and to pay respect to the balance between humans and nature.

Consonance and the Cosmos

(2018-21)

for orchestra

2(II+picc)22(II+bcl)2(II+cfg)-2200-10-str(min.43321)

Duration: 27

Dream of a beautiful mermaid

(2020)

for wind band

3(III=picc)26(I=ebcl;VI=bcl)2-ssax-asax-tsax-barsar-443(III=btrb)2-euph-14-hp-pf-elbass Percussion: Bass drum, Floor tom, Tambourine, Drum set (suspended crash cymbal w/sizzlers), Gong, Crotales (w/bow), Glockenspiel (w/bow), Vibraphone (w/bows), Triangle, Clap, Stomp, Police whistle, Electric toothbrush (prefer. 2)

Duration: 9

Peijaiset

(1923)

for orchestra

2(I+picc;II+afl)2(II+ca)2(II+bcl)2(I&II+cfg)*-4331-12-hp-pf-str Percussion: Snare drum, 3 Tom-toms, Bass drum, Tambourine, Suspended cymbal, China cymbal (on top of bass drum), Hi-hat, Glockenspiel, Tubular bells, Slapstick, Flexatone, Sleigh bells, Police whistle *Alto flute, English horn, Bass clarinet & Bassoon 2 should be tuned 31 c lower.

Duration: 10

Klami remixed 
Composed in 2023 for the V Uuno Klami Competition. MIDI Mockup.

Consonance and the Cosmos for orchestra. YouTube.: