Mikael Helasvuo, flautist

Mikael Helasvuo is known as a leading flautist in Finland, and internationally renowned for his wide-ranging mastery of his instrument.

Mikael Helasvuo studied the flute at the Sibelius Academy under Juho Alvas, and later abroad at the the Prague Conservatory with František Cech and at the Freiburg Music Academy with Aurèle Nicolet. He has supplemented his studies in master classes with Jean-Pierre Rampal, Severino Gazzelloni, Samuel Baron ja Pierre Séchet.

He launched his career in 1973 with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 1976 was appointed the flute soloist of the Finnish Radio Symphony orchestra until 1988.

Today, he is in great demand as a soloist and chamber musician. He has performed in most European countries, the United States, South America and Japan. He regularly gives concerts featuring an ever-changing contemporary repertoire, as well as Baroque and Classical works performed on period instruments. He often performs with pianist Tuija Hakkila or guitarist Jukka Savijoki as a partner. He also performs as part of a trio with Anna Orasmaa, harpsichord and Lauri Pulakka, cello. He also appears with the Rantatie String Quartet, or in a quintet together with Anni Haapaniemi, oboe, Asko Heiskanen, clarinet, Tommi Viertonen, French horn, and Jussi Särkkä, bassoon; Ensemble Schrat.

Many of his numerous recordings have won top prizes both in Finland and abroad. He has given world premiere performances, and given the first Finnish performance of over two hundred flute compositions, in recognition of which he received the Madetoja Prize from the Finnish Composers' Association in 1992.

Helasvuo is currently Professor of Wind Instruments at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. He has given numerous master classes in Germany, Sweden, Norway and other countries. Since 2001 he has been the Artistic Director of the Early Music Festival in Hämeenlinna, Finland.

Latest release in January 2009: ALBA ABCD 257 "Kraus Flute Quintet & Crusell 2 Flute Quartets" Mikael Helasvuo, flute - Rantatie Quaret

Huvudstadsbladet, 20.1.2009, Mats Liljeroos: "Mikael Helasvuo har i sin tur transkriberat c-mollkvartetten op. 4 och framför den, liksom skivans övriga repertoar, på sin treflöjt med sedvanligt tekniskt raffinemang och utsökt sensibilitet, smakfullt uppbackad av Rantatiekvartetten med oförbränneliga Kreeta-Maria Kentala i spetsen. (Kammarmusik med flöjt av Kraus & Crusell, Mikael Helasvuo, flöjt ovh Rantatiekvartetten. ALBA ABCD 257).

AMONG PAST CONCERTS:

Wednesday 12 September at 7:00pm, Mikkeli Cathedral (FI) Mikkeli City orchestra

Thursday 13 September at 7:00pm, Lappee Maria Church, Lappeenranta (FI)

Sunday 7 October 2007 at 7:00pm, Hämeenlinna (Fi), Raatihuone -

Wednesday 17 October 2007 at 8:00pm, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City Duo Mikael Helasvuo & Tuija Hakkila

Naantali Music Festival (FI)

1 - 10 March 2007, "European Competition for violin and flute" - Member of Jury

Friday 16 March 2007, Focus Finlandia, Musica Nova, Tapiola Sinfonietta cond. Atso Almila, Kimmo Hakola: L’or d’Azur – Concerto pour flûte et orchestre (2007) (World Premiere)

CD recordings for labels:

ONDINE
Anton Diabelli Works for Flute and Guitar
Toru Takemitsu Works for Flute and Guitar
Astor Piazzolla Works for Flute and Guitar
”Cluster”. Contemporary Scandinavian Music
“Les Gouts-reünis” Leclair, Couperin, Morel etc.
“Jeu” Heininen, Meriläinen, Salonen
Couperin, Händel, Telemann etc. Sibelius Achademy's Baroque Ensemble

BIS:
Stamitz & Benda: Flute Concertos
Mozart: Complete Works for Flute and Orchestra
Giuliani: Complete Works for Flute and Guitar, 3 CDs

ALBA:
Rosetti, Graf: Concerto, Quartett

FINLANDIA:
“Finnish Flute Concertos” - Bergman, Englund, Meriläinen
Haydn: 3 Flute trios

LOVE RECORDS:
"Ode to Marilyn"