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.
The Heart of the Day – Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen talk about the summer's program and making of it (in Finnish).
15.7.
Hannu Salama (1936):
Poem Minä olen ajatellut paljon (I have thought much)
16.7.
Alan Ridout (1934—1996):
Ferdinand the Bull for speaker and violin (1971, text: Munro Leaf)
18.7.
Mika Waltari (1908—1979):
Poem 23.30 Pikajuna Viipuriin
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Tuntematon tie
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Kirje
18.7.
Mika Waltari (1908—1979):
Poem Kevät
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Konstantinopeliin
18.7.
Mika Waltari (1908—1979):
Poem Valtatiet
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Täysikuu
18.7.
Mika Waltari (1908—1979):
Poem Ensimmäinen suudelma
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Nuoruus
18.7.
Mika Waltari (1908—1979):
Poem Teräskukat
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Sininen yö
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Ja lopuksi
18.7.
Mika Waltari (1908—1979):
Poem Päiväkirjan teksti
18.7.
Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963):
Aurinkolaulu
20.7.
Alexander Glazunov (1865—1936):
String Quintet in A, Op. 39 (1892)
- Minna Pensola
- Tami Pohjola
- Gareth Lubbe
- Bjørg Lewis
- Mee Na Lojewski
21.7.
The Heart of the Day – artistic directors Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen talk about the second week's program (in Finnish).
21.7.
Franz Berwald (1796—1868):
Septet in B flat for clarinet, bassoon, French horn, violin, viola, cello and double bass (1828)
22.7.
John Cage (1912—1992):
Living Room Music (1940, lyrics quoted from The World is Round by Gertrude Stein)
- Anna Caroline Olsen
- Minna Pensola
- Antti Tikkanen
- Ari Vilhjálmsson
23.7.
Seppo Kantonen (1963):
Nordic Utopia, Suite of Miniatures for violin and double bass (2025, premier)
23.7.
W. A. Mozart (1756—1791):
Serenade in C, K. 648 for string trio 'Eine ganz kleine Nachtmusik' (1766–69 ca.)
23.7.
Jean Sibelius (1865—1957):
En glad musikant (a Happy Musician), JS 70 for violin (1924–25)
23.7.
Wiljami Anttikainen (alias Vladimir Mendelssohn) (1949—2021):
Lupine for Antti and Minna, composed on a napkin at a pizzeria in Cividale 2017
25.7.
Kaija Saariaho (1952—2023):
Terra Memoria for string orchestra (2009)
25.7.
Edvard Grieg (1843—1907):
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 (1884)
25.7.
Bob Dylan (1941):
Knockin' On Heaven's Door (1973, instrumentation Minna Pensola)
26.7.
Nancy Dalberg (1881—1949):
Scherzo, Op. 6 for string orchestra (1914)
26.7.
Jaakko Kuusisto (1974—2022):
Välivuodenajat (Between Seasons), Op. 7 for string orchestra and harpsichord (1995–96)
26.7.
Kurt Atterberg (1887—1974):
Suite No. 3, Op. 19 No. 1 for violin, viola and string orchestra (1917)
26.7.
Arvo Pärt (1935):
Tabula rasa for two violins, prepared piano and string orchestra (1977)
Meta4
13.7.
Intimate Voices, Incidental Music for two clowns and string quartet (2025, premier)
14.7.
Robert Schumann (1810—1856):
String Quartet No. 1 in A minor, Op. 41 No. 1 (1842)
14.7.
Joseph Haydn (1732—1809):
String Quartet No. 62 in C, Op. 76 No. 3 'Emperor' (1797)
14.7.
15.7.
16.7.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809—1847):
String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13 (1827)
16.7.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770—1827):
String Quartet No. 16 in F, Op. 135 (1826)
17.7.
Jean Sibelius (1865—1957):
Fugue for Martin Wegelius for string quartet (1889)
18.7.
18.7.
Oscar Byström (1821—1909):
Intermezzo from String Quartet in C minor 'Swedish' (1856, rev. 1895)
18.7.
Hymn 571 – Den blomstertid nu kommer (Summer Hymn) (1697) (Hymn-along, in Finnish)
20.7.
W. A. Mozart (1756—1791):
Requiem in D minor, K. 626 (1791, arr. for vocal quartet and string quartet by Atte Kilpeläinen and Meta4)