Olli Virtaperko
Romer's gap · Multikolor · Ambrosian Delights
Perttu Kivilaakso, amplified cello · Joonatan Rautiola, baritone saxophone · Jonte Knif, knifonium · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Ville Matvejeff, conductor
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Soloist
Perttu Kivilaakso
Perttu Kivilaakso (b. 1978) is a cellist and composer best known as lead cellist in the cello rock band Apocalyptica, which has sold some 5 million albums and given more than 1,000 concerts in almost 60 countries on all continents. Before Apocalyptica, Kivilaakso had a number of recitals and solo appearances as a classical cellist to his credit, and until 2005 he held a regular position in the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. He received 3rd prize in the Paulo Cello Competition in 1996.
Biography
From the Ondine artist archive. Appointments and season references reflect the original biography.
Kivilaakso is a huge opera fan, above all a fan of Verdi, Wagner and Puccini. In 2016, the Finnish National Opera premiered Indigo, an opera that he co-wrote with fellow Apocalyptica member Eicca Toppinen. Kivilaakso has written film music and computer music featuring a combination of musical styles. He is also a fan of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, the Star Wars cycle and Marvel superheroes.