Pekka Kuusisto

Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most versatile and distinctive musicians working today. Setting him apart from many of his peers is his desire and ability to improvise and his love of playing many different styles of music, including folk, electronic and rock, channelling the same intensity into each genre. Pekka’s most recent CD releases with pianist Heini Kärkkäinen and the Tapiola Sinfonietta are both centred around Sibelius, of whose music Pekka is a leading exponent. Further recordings include his acclaimed Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with the Virtuosi di Kuhmo, Bach violin concertos with the Tapiola Sinfonietta and Jaakko Kuusisto, Mozart violin concertos with the Tapiola Sinfonietta and Olli Mustonen, and his participation in the releases of various Finnish rock and pop bands. Pekka is seen increasingly directing ensembles from the violin, including the London, Scottish and Irish Chamber Orchestras and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Appearing regularly with many of the world’s greatest orchestras, Pekka’s diverse repertoire includes new works such as Distant Lightby Peteris Vasks and Thomas Adès’s Violin Concerto. Pekka Kuusisto is Artistic Director of the Lake Tuusula Chamber Music Festival in Finland and Artist in Residence at the Tapiola Sinfonietta. Pekka plays a Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin of 1752, kindly loaned by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.