Siba Talks interview series

Published 28.5.2025 | Updated 28.5.2025

About the series

The Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki’s new public interview series, Siba Talks, is hosted by pianist and Lecturer in Lied Keval Shah, who is also known as an innovative broadcaster and presenter at the BBC. In each session, eminent figures from the remarkable Sibelius Academy community reflect on their lives and careers, and share the music which means the most to them.

Each year, four guests will be invited to take part in the series. The format combines interview questions, conducted in English, with a selection of musical excerpts chosen by the guest interviewee. Each episode will be available to watch afterward on the Sibelius Academy’s YouTube channel.

Siba Talks episodes

Siba Talks: Keval Shah & Maija Kauhanen

Maija Kauhanen, the folk musician, singer-songwriter, and kantele artist, who won the Nordic Council Music Prize in 2023, is the guest. Kauhanen is an explosive and versatile one-woman orchestra who has quickly built an impressive international career. At the heart of her art lies the Finnish-Karelian tradition, with its instruments, playing techniques, and vocal styles.

Watch the episode with Maija Kauhanen

Siba Talks: Keval Shah & Sebastian Fagerlund

Sebastian Fagerlund has established himself as one of the most significant European composers of his generation. He studied composition under Erkki Jokinen at the Sibelius Academy, earning his composition diploma in 2004.

Watch the episode with Sebastian Fagerlund

About the host

British-Indian pianist Keval Shah (b. 1993) is celebrated for the intellectual and creative depth of his artistic vision. A laureate of multiple international competitions, Shah has performed at many of Europe’s major concert halls and festivals, and has recorded for labels including Deutsche Grammophon.

Alongside successes in the traditional field, Keval is a pioneer in concert design and curation, regularly commissioning contemporary music and building artistic projects that mix different genres, cultures, and philosophies. His musical practice is guided by a fascination with cross-cultural and multi-cultural processes, and the artistic and social possibilities which can be found therein.

Alongside his work at the Sibelius Academy, Keval frequently works as a broadcaster at the BBC, most recently presenting a documentary about Kaija Saariaho’s final projects.