BIOGRAPHY
PERFORMANCES
Lappalainen's compositions have been performed by the Mozarteum Orchester Salzburg, Tampere Filharmonia, Oulu Sinfonia, Helsingin kamarikuoro, Haapavesi Chamber Orchestra, Jyväskylä Sinfonian jousikvartetti, South Iceland Chamber Choir, Pohjan Sotilassoittokunta, Vokalgruppen Concert Clemens, Aspekte New Music Ensemble, Gunnar Berg Ensemble Salzburg, Kälviä Double Reed Orchestra, Duo Gelland, Duo Lappalainen, Arctos Ensemble, Gothenburg University Orchestra, Puhallinorkesteri Viventi, Barmat -kuoro, Gothenburg University Orchestra.
COMMISSIONS
Tampere Philharmonic, Helsinki Chamber Choir, Arpa GRAZiosa Festival, Chamber Opera Association Atlantis, Passauer Saiten Festival, Salzburg Society for Music, October of New Music Festival, Kälviä Double Reed Orchestra, Jokilaaksot Music Institute, Duo Gelland, Women’s Choir Välke, Duo Lappalainen, Oulu Suzuki School.
PRIZES, GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Teosto Prize 2023
The symphony orchestra composition " Water", co-composed with Sanna Ahvenjärvi, won the Teosto Prize in 2023. The work was commissioned by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and premiered at the Tampere Biennale 2022 Festival with Rebecca Tong as conductor.
The Cultural Award of the City of Haapajärvi 2019
He has got Grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Music Finland, Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Art Committee of Province of Oulu, Haapajärvi City, the Sibelius –Foundation of the Society of Finnish Composers, The Finnish Music Foundation (MES), Alfred Kordelinin Foundation, Sylvi Kekkonen -Foundation, the Madetoja Foundation and the Culture Ministrys of Luxembourg among others. Tapio Lappalainen was a Composer-in-Residence in “Kommandantenhaus der Bergfeste Dilsberg” in Germany with a grant from the Rhein-Neckar Kreis e.V. Foundation.
Memberships
Vice-chair of society of contemporary music October (Nykymusiikkiseura Lokakuu), 2023->
Member of the “Ääneni Äärelle” Composition Pedagogy Working Group of the Society of Finnish Composers 2018-2022
Member of the Regional Council, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu Arts Promotion Centre from 2017–2020
Board member of the Sibelius –Foundation of the Society of Finnish Composers 2010–2020
Board member of the association of Music Theory and Solfeggio Teachers (MUTES ry), 2010–2020
RELEASES
Lappalainen was a member of The Society of Finnish Composersґ "composition curriculum” -group and a member of a group, which created the www.opus1.fi -website. The www.opus1.fi website is a databank about composition pedagogy materials.
Violin Duo by Tapio Lappalainen was released on a CD, Duo Gelland: Violin Duos vol.4, by Nosag -recording company 2011.
"Bußetuende Zitrusseife", a joint composition by Sanna Ahvenjärvi and Tapio Lappalainen, text: Veronika Aschenbrenner, released on Pimeän lumo / Northern Voices Extreme -CD and digital distribution platforms 2026. "Bußetuende Zitrusseife" was recorded and mixed by Tapio Lappalainen and mastered by Janne Huotari. Distribution by Fuga Oy.
The production of Sanna Ahvenjärvi’s opera "Hiekkasilmä" from live performances on October 4-6, 2024 at the New Music October Festival at the Cultural Centre Valve, in Oulu, Finland. Audio recorded and mixed by Tapio Lappalainen.
A selection of CD releases recorded and mixed by Tapio Lappalainen:
Risto Lauriala: F. Liszt's Transcriptions of Schubert's Lieder (2002)
Recording by the Oulu Conservatory and the Parish Wind Orchestra: Tule ja Tööttää (2001, mixed by Juha Laakso at the Finnvox Studios)
Arctic Double Bass: Oulu Conservatory Production (2000)
Mika Rännäli: Artist's Debut Album (2000)
Risto Lauriala: J.S.Bach: Die Kunst der Fuge (2000 Alba)
Vesa Valkama: Duo (2000)
Vesa Valkama: Solo (1999)
Risto Lauriala: Piano Compositions by Selim Palmgren (1998 Naxos)
Risto Lauriala: L. van Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (1998 Alba)
F: Beforeafter (1997 Hirsis Productions, mixed by Seppo Myllyrinne at the Sound Track Studios)
Oliver Kohlenberg: Oulu Conservatory Production (1996)
Tuira Chamber Choir: Vasten valoa piirtyvää (1995)
Teaching Experience
Since 2005 Lappalainen has been teaching music theory, solfeggio, composition and music technology at the Jokilaaksot Music Institute (Jokilaaksojen musiikkiopisto). He has held composition workshops and worked as an instructor in the field of composition education for children and youth in many music institutes across Finland.
The East Helsinki Music Institute (2018–2023)
The University of Oulu
Oulu University of Applied Sciences
MediaLab Studio at the Mozarteum University