Cellist Anssi Karttunen is the new artistic director of Finland's largest contemporary music festival Musica nova Helsinki. Karttunen (b. 1960) has performed as a soloist with countless orchestras in Finland and abroad, and premiered over 130 works. From 1994 to 1998 he was the artistic director of Avanti and the Summer Sounds Festival.

In 1995, Anssi Karttunen was the artistic director of Musica nova’s predecessor Helsinki Biennale. In 1997, he was part of a troika of the festival's artistic planners. Karttunen is preceded by composer Johan Tallgren, who was in charge of the 2009, 2011 and 2013 festivals.

Musica nova Helsinki is one of the most notable contemporary music events in Europe. The biennial festival aims to present the most interesting new music from Finland and abroad.

Musica nova Helsinki is organized by Helsinki Festival, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Sibelius Academy and Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE.

The next Musica nova Helsinki will take place in February 2015.

Musica nova Helsinki ylitti odotuksensa lipunmyynnin ja kävijämäärän suhteen. Festivaali keräsi yhteen n. 8 000 konserttikävijää. Radion ja nettilähetysten välityksellä konsertteja seurasi n. 570 000 kuulijaa ja katselijaa. Konserteista Avantin Mare Nostrum 9.2. oli loppuunmyyty.

Images of the concerts, rehearsals and performers can be found on the Gallery page.

Musica novan Facebook-ryhmässä ajankohtaisia linkkejä, tapahtumatietoja ja keskustelua festivaalista ja esiintyjistä. Liity mukaan: www.facebook.com/musicanovahelsinki