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Kepa Lehtinen

Multi-instrumentalist and composer

Finland

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  • 2

    Videos

About

Kepa Lehtinen is a native of Helsinki, Finland. He began to study music as a child and eventually went on to study Sound Design at Finland’s Aalto University and has since written music for many films, commercials, and TV productions. He plays the piano, synthesizers, theremin, and drums. After college Kepa continued his work as a composer, sound editor, and sound designer. His music has appeared in award-winning Finnish titles such as Kimmo (TV series), Almost 18 (feature film), and A Stone LeftUnturned (short film). He released his first solo album, Playing Theremin, in 2018. In 2019 he released Helsinki in November

The Static Dive wrote about Kepa Lehtinen: "Multi-instrumentalist and composer, Kepa Lehtinen is almost as courageous a musician as he is talented. I say that because one of the many instruments he has mastered is the theremin. A theremin is an electronic musical instrument controlled without any physical contact by the performer. They usually consist of a small box, with two metal protrusions. I own one. As evidenced by this video, I have no idea how to play it.

On his new release “It is Ok to be Sad and Dark,” Lehtinen plays the theremin beautifully. In the hands of an actual thereminist like Kepa, the instrument has a haunting and gorgeous tone. His new EP consists of six classical pieces which find his theremin in an ensemble, matched with piano and contrabass.

The instrument functions as would a violin or cello in a similar setting. However, it is capable of creating tones and moods that no stringed instrument could hope to produce. Here, Lehtinen’s theremin alternately takes on the qualities of a reed instrument or even a vocal. It is an extraordinary sound. The artist spent an entire year perfecting the theremin melodies as well as the vintage Hi-Fi color of the recording.

https://staticdive.com/2020/04/06/kepa-lehtinen-theremin/

Sheets

Interview

What does music mean to you personally?

Sound, scent and music are connected directly to your emotions. There is time and place for many kinds of music. Sibelius for your deepest feelings and Bon Jovi to make you feel good.

Do you agree that music is all about fantasy?

I just read the book by Stephen Hawking and i must say science is all about fantasy. Music is communication in it's most basic form.

If you were not a professional musician, what would you have been?

I am working all the time as sound designer (for film, commercials, industry)

The classical music audience is getting old, are you worried about the future?

Classical music audience should be old:)

What do you envision the role of music to be in the 21st century? Do you see that there is a transformation of this role?

Role of music is eternal.

Do you think that the musician today needs to be more creative?

Musicians today needs to be so many things, like social media experts (i am surely not but luckily you are)

What is the role of creativity in the musical process for you?

Composing is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration

Do you think we as musicians can do something to attract the younger generation to music concerts? How would you do this?

There is some amazing symphonic music on video games today. How about performing that?

Tell us about your creative process. What is your favorite piece (written by you) and how did you start working on it?

I play whatever comes to my mind and try picking up all the good pieces. I take a cadence that generates some sort of feelings and start playing with that. My favourite piece must be “It is ok to be sad and dark” it was triggered by strong feelings of sadness last winter.

Can you give some advice for young people who want to discover classical music for themselves?

Start with movie soundtracks and game music.

Do you think about the audience when composing?

Never

What projects are coming up?

I will try to keep up releasing album once a year.