Nine works have been nominated for this year's Teosto Prize. With the sum of 40 000 euros the Prize granted by the Composers' Copyright Society Teosto is the biggest music award in Finland. The prize will be given out for the sixth time on November 26, 2008.

Teosto Prize is not bound to any musical genre or style, and accordingly the nominees represent the variety of Finnish music from popular music to folk, jazz as well as contemporary classical. The nominees and winners will be chosen on the grounds of the boldness, originality and innovativeness of the works. The candidates chosen by the preliminary panel led by musician Pekka Nissilä are the following:

- Compositions, lyrics and arrangements by Kauko Röyhkä and Riku Mattila on the album 'Kauko Röyhkä ja Riku Mattila'
- Compositions and arrangements by Eero Turkka, Eero Grundström and Jouko Kyhälä on the album 'Jarruta' by Sväng
- Works by Asa and group on the album 'Loppuasukas'
- Compositions by Markku Lepistö and Pekka Lehti on the album 'Helsinki'
- Music by Markus Fagerudd in the opera 'The Seven Dog Brothers'
- Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Chamber Orchestra, op. 91 by Aulis Sallinen
- 'Ladies Room' for soprano and chamber orchestra by Perttu Haapanen
- Arrangements by Jukka Perko, Teemu Viinikainen and Severi Pyysalo on the album 'Maan korvessa'
- Works by Tsuumi Sound System on the album 'Hotas'

The final choice of 1-3 winning works will be made by the jury consisting of professor Heikki Laitinen (chair), Heikki Valsta and Jonna Tervomaa, recipient of Teosto Prize 2007.

Photo: Maarit Kytöharju