Räihälä was born in Suomussalmi. He has studied under Harri Vuori.[3] He began as a rock musician, only turning into art music in his late teens.[4] His best-known work is the 2005 orchestral portrait Barlinnie Nine, a tribute to the Scottishfootball player Duncan Ferguson, then of Everton, whom Räihälä is known to be a supporter of.[5] In 2004, another orchestral tribute, this time to the Islay single malt whisky Ardbeg, was chosen as one of recommended works in the international Uuno Klami competition.[6] The French horn concerto received the same accolade in 2014.[7]
Räihälä is also known as a writer of music in Finland. His first book Miksi nykymusiikki on niin vaikeaa [Why Is Contemporary Music So Difficult] won the prestigious Finlandia Prize book award in nonfiction category in 2021.[11]
Personal life
Räihälä stated in an interview with Sikorski magazine that he has synesthesia.[12]