Photo: Maarit Kytöharju
Minna Pensola
Minna Pensola plays in the string quartet Meta4, and has appeared as soloist with almost all the Finnish orchestras. In 2008 Pensola founded the Klasariklubi in Helsinki, which combines the leisurely atmosphere of a bar with an opportunity to hear live classical music. She also established the PuKama chamber music association, a joint project between her and her husband, the violinist Antti Tikkanen, one intended to liven up the chamber music scene in the Finnish capital.
Minna Pensola teaches violin at the Sibelius Academy and was Artistic Director of the Sysmän Suvisoitto festival from 2006 to 2012. She attended the Zurich Music Academy and the European Chamber Music Academy. Here main teachers have included Jerzy Blaszkiewicz, Leonid Mordkovich, Kaija Saarikettu, Ana Chumachenko, Josef Rissin and Hatto Beyrle.
Minna Pensola’s instrument is a Carlo Bergonzi violin from 1732, owned by the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation.
Offstage the swinging up-tempo is maintained by two daughters and two cats.
In October of 2021 Pensola and her husband Antti Tikkanen were chosen as Kuhmo Chamber Music’s new artistic directors.
Artist's/Ensemble's own websiteProgramme
14.7.
Anders Hillborg (1954):
Bach Materia for violin and string orchestra (2017)
14.7.
Antonín Dvořák (1841—1904):
Serenade in E, Op. 22 for string orchestra (1875)
15.7.
The Heart of the Day – Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen talk about the summer's program and making of it (in Finnish).
15.7.
Philip Glass (1937):
Echorus for two violins and string orchestra (1994–95)
- Minna Pensola
- Reetta Kataja
- Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra
15.7.
Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928—2016):
The Fiddlers, Op. 1 suite for string orchestra (1972)
15.7.
Kopsin Joonas (arr. by Timo Alakotila)
15.7.
Samuel (arr. by Timo Alakotila)
16.7.
György Kurtág (1926):
Kafka Fragments, Op. 24 for soprano and violin (1985–87, text: Franz Kafka)
19.7.
Lotta Wennäkoski (1970):
Tocca for harp and violin (2019)
20.7.
Viera Janárčeková (1941—2023):
Illusion from Tangomania for violin and accordion (2013–14)
20.7.
Toivo Kärki (1915—1992):
Siks oon mä suruinen (1944, lyrics: Kerttu Mustonen)
20.7.
Arnold Schönberg (1874—1951):
Die Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Op. 4 for string sextet (1899)
- Minna Pensola
- Student of the Music Course
- Annariina Jokela
- Student of the Music Course
- Claude Frochaux
- Student of the Music Course
21.7.
Eero Hämeenniemi (1951):
Waiting for the Sunrise for two violins (2009)
22.7.
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681—1767):
Concerto in G, TWV 40:201 for four violins (1720)
22.7.
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681—1767):
Concerto in D, TWV 40:202 for four violins (1720)
22.7.
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681—1767):
Concerto in C, TWV 40:203 for four violins (1720)
22.7.
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681—1767):
Concerto in A, TWV 40:204 for four violins (1720)
22.7.
22.7.
Maurice Ravel (1875—1937):
Sonata No. 2 in G for violin and piano (1923–27)
22.7.
Lasse Pihlajamaa (1916—2007):
Romanian Rhapsody (1949)
23.7.
J. S. Bach (1685—1750):
Largo from Sonata No. 3 in C, BWV 1005 (1720)
23.7.
Ilse Weber (1903—1944):
Ich wandre durch Theresienstadt (I wander through Theresienstadt) (1942–44, lyrics: Ilse Weber)
23.7.
Martin Roman (1910—1996):
Das Karussell (1944, lyrics: Manfred Greiffenhagen)
23.7.
Adolf Strauss (1902—1944):
Ich weiss bestimmt, ich werd dich wiedersehen (I know for sure I'll see you again) (lyrics: Ludwig Hift)
23.7.
Carlo Taube (1897—1944):
Ein jüdisches Kind (A Jewish Child) (lyrics: Carlo and Erika Taube)
23.7.
Ilse Weber (1903—1944):
Wiegala (Beddy-bye) (lyrics: Ilse Weber)
23.7.
Viktor Ullmann (1898—1944):
Berjoskele (The Little Birch), Op. 53 No. 1 from Brezulinka (Birches). Drei jiddische Lieder (1943, lyrics: David Einhorn)
24.7.
The Heart of the Day – Lotta Wennäkoski talks about her commissioned piece and her work as a composer, interviewed by Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen (in Finnish).
24.7.
Lotta Wennäkoski (1970):
Sic for two violins (2024, commissioned by Kuhmo Chamber Music, premier)
26.7.
Pedro Laurenz (1902—1972):
Berretín (1941, arr. by Astor Piazzolla)
26.7.
Jean Françaix (1912—1997):
String Trio (1933)
27.7.
Vladimir Mendelssohn (1949—2021):
Urban Lark No. 2 for piano quartet (2019)
27.7.