# Pekka Kuusisto, violin > Pekka Kuusisto, violin – 34 recordings on Ondine. "Pekka Kuusisto is the very embodiment of joyful music-making." (The Toronto Star, April 2010) Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kuusisto-pekka - **Role:** violin - **Photo:** © Jukka Lehtinen/Ondine > "Pekka Kuusisto is the very embodiment of joyful music-making." (The Toronto Star, April 2010) ## Biography Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most versatile and distinctive musicians working today. Always demonstrating his extraordinary individuality and imagination, he is unusually free and fluid in his approach and has been acclaimed for the spontaneity and freshness in his playing. Setting Pekka Kuusisto apart from most other violinists of his generation is his desire and ability to improvise, and his love of playing many different styles of music, channeling the same intensity into each genre. Pekka Kuusisto began to study the violin with Géza Szilvay at the age of three. In 1985, he went on to study with Tuomas Haapanen at the Sibelius Academy. He also studied with Miriam Fried and Paul Biss at Indiana University in Bloomington from 1992 to 1996. Pekka Kuusisto became the first Finn to win the Sibelius Violin Competition in 1995. He has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors. In 2006, Pekka Kuusisto became Artist in Association with the Tapiola Sinfonietta. In 2009, he was selected as one of eight individuals in the Konzerthaus Dortmund's celebrated "Junge Wilde" series. Apart from his appearances as a soloist, Pekka Kuusisto also performs chamber music, jazz, folk music, and electronic music. As Artistic Director of Finland's "Our Festival" at Lake Tuusula each summer, he creates his own programme of events. Pekka Kuusisto has made numerous acclaimed recordings for Ondine. His catalogue includes many works by Jean Sibelius, including the Violin Concerto with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Leif Segerstam ([ODE 878-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-878-2)), other pieces for violin and orchestra with the Tapiola Sinfonietta (ODE 1174-5), and works for violin and piano with pianist Heini Kärkkäinen ([ODE 1046-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1046-2)). He has also recorded Vivaldi's The Four Seasons ([ODE 939-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-939-2)), Mozart's Violin Concertos Nos. 3, 4, and 5 ([ODE 1025-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1025-2)), and works by Olli Mustonen ([ODE 974-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-974-2)). Together with his brother, violinist Jaakko Kuusisto, he performs on a disc featuring the complete Violin Concertos by J.S. Bach ([ODE 980-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-980-2)). In 2010, he released a disc of duo works by Paganini together with guitarist Ismo Eskelinen ([ODE 1142-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1142-2)) and his most recent release showcases the complete works for violin and piano by Finnish composer Rautavaara ([ODE 1177-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1177-2)). Pekka Kuusisto plays a Giovanni Baptista Guadagnini violin of 1752 kindly loaned by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. ## Discography on Ondine (34) - [Jean Sibelius: Winter with Sibelius · (Digital Album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1450-2.md): Various (ODE 1450-2, 2024) - [Jean Sibelius: Autumn with Sibelius · (Digital album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1440-2.md): Various (ODE 1440-2, 2023) - [Jean Sibelius: Summer with Sibelius · (Digital album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1430-2.md): Various (ODE 1430-2, 2023) - [Jean Sibelius: Spring with Sibelius · (Digital album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1415-2.md): Various (ODE 1415-2, 2023) - [Thomas Adès: Märchentänze · Hotel Suite from Powder Her Face · Lieux retrouvés · Dawn](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1411-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Tomas Nuñez, cello · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Nicholas Collon, conductor (ODE 1411-2, 2022) - [Erkki-Sven Tüür: Peregrinus Ecstaticus, Clarinet Concerto · Le poids des vies non vécues · Noesis, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1287-2.md): Christoffer Sundqvist, clarinet · Pekka Kuusisto, violn · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Hannu Lintu, conductor (ODE 1287-2, 2017) - [Finland 100: A Century of Finnish Classics · 5 CD collection celebrating 100 years of Finland's independence · Orchestral Works I & II · Concertos · Vocal Works · Chamber Music](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1300-2q.md): Various Finnish artist, orchestras and conductors (ODE 1300-2Q, 2016) - [Jean Sibelius: The Essential Orchestral Favourites with Photo Album](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1265-2d.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor · Finnish Radio Orchestra · Jean Sibelius, conductor (ODE 1265-2D, 2014) - [Magnus Lindberg: Violin Concerto · Jubilees · Souvenir](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1175-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin & director* · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Magnus Lindberg, conductor** (ODE 1175-2, 2013) - [Summer Thoughts · Einojuhani Rautavaara: Works for Violin and Piano](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1177-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Paavali Jumppanen, piano (ODE 1177-2, 2011) - [Niccolò Paganini: Duos](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1142-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Ismo Eskelinen, guitar (ODE 1142-2, 2009) - [The Absolute Sibelius: Violin Concerto · Symphony No. 2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1115-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1115-2, 2007) - [Jean Sibelius: Works for Violin and Orchestra](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1074-5.md): Tapiola Sinfonietta · Pekka Kuusisto, violin & conductor (ODE 1074-5, 2006) - [Jean Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies · Violin Concerto · Finlandia](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1075-2q.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1075-2Q, 2005) - [Musical Soirée at Ainola: Works for Violin and Piano by Jean Sibelius](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1046-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Heini Kärkkäinen, piano (ODE 1046-2, 2004) - [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 3-5](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1025-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Olli Mustonen, conductor (ODE 1025-2, 2003) - [Folk Trip](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1018-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · The Luomu Players (ODE 1018-2, 2002) - [Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concertos](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-980-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Jaakko Kuusisto, violin · Tapiola Sinfonietta (ODE 980-2, 2001) - [Olli Mustonen: Triple Concerto · Petite Suite · Nonets Nos. 1 & 2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-974-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Jaakko Kuusisto, violin · Lisa Batiashvili, violin · Matti Rousi, cello · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Olli Mustonen, conductor (ODE 974-2, 2001) - [Sergei Taneyev: Concert Suite for Violin and Orchestra · Entr'acte · Oresteya Overture](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-959-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor (ODE 959-2, 2000) - [Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-939-2.md): Virtuosi di Kuhmo · Pekka Kuusisto, violin & conductor (ODE 939-2, 1999) - [Pekka Kuusisto: Strings Attached](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-901-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Raija Kerppo, piano (ODE 901-2, 1997) - [Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto · Karelia Suite · Belshazzar's Feast](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-878-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 878-2, 1996) - [Jean Sibelius: Early Chamber Music Vol. 2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-850-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Raija Kerppo, piano · Jean Sibelius Quartet (ODE 850-2, 1995) - [Seasons of Finnish Lifestyle](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1152-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1152-2, 2009) - [Talven taikaa: Music for Winter Moments](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1160-2.md): Various Artists (ODE 1160-2, 2009) - [Finland. A Celebration of Music and Nature](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1053-2q.md): Various Finnish Artists (ODE 1053-2Q, 2008) - [Helsinki - A Musical Promenade: Musical CD + map](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1114-2.md): Mikko Franck, conductor · Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Tuomas Hannikainen, conductor · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Marko Ylönen, cello · Matti & Sinikka Kontio, kantele · Leif Segerstam, conductor · Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Chamber Choir · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Soile Isokoski, soprano · Timo Nuoranne, conductor · Seppo Murto, organ (ODE 1114-2, 2008) - [Idylli - musiikkia rauhaisiin hetkiin: Music for a daydream](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1120-2.md): Tapiola Sinfonietta · Various Soloists & Conductors (ODE 1120-2, 2008) - [A Five Star Sibelius Celebration](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1108-2.md): Karita Mattila · Jorma Hynninen · Monica Groop · Pekka Kuusisto · Olli Mustonen (ODE 1108-2, 2007) - [Souda, souda sinisorsa. Lasten oma Sibelius-levy](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1083-2.md): Olli Mustonen · Pekka Kuusisto · Jorma Hynninen · Tapiola Choir etc. (ODE 1083-2, 2006) - [Mozart Jubileum](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1078-2.md): Pekka Kuusisto (ODE 1078-2, 2006) - [Sibelius Festival](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-930-2.md): Jorma Hynninen · Pekka Kuusisto (ODE 930-2, 1999) - [Essential highlights of... (ODE 254-2D)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-254-2d.md): Pekka Kuusisto, violin (ODE 254-2D, 2010) ## Links - [Pekka Kuusisto, conductor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kuusisto-pekka) - [HarrisonParrott](http://www.harrisonparrott.com/artists/Pekka_Kuusisto.asp) - [Lake Tuusula Chamber Music Festival](http://www.tuusulanjarvifestival.fi/) - [Interview in The Guardian, January 16, 2007](http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1991131,00.html) - [Video interview for Musica Viva (Australia), April 2011](http://vimeo.com/22061954)