RAASAKKA, MIKKO (b 1965 )

Mikko Raasakka studied clarinet in France at the Conservatory of Besançon and at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, obtaining a Doctor of Music degree from the latter in 2005. Raasakka performs extensively in the contemporary music field and collaborates frequently with Finnish composers. In addition to solo and chamber music works he has given premières of clarinet concertos by Kirmo Lintinen, Kai Nieminen, Hannu Pohjannoro, Herman Rechberger and Antti Auvinen.He has also introduced a new instrument to the classical music field, the liru folk clarinet. As a soloist Raasakka has performed with many Finnish orchestras including Sinfonia Lahti under the direction of Osmo Vänskä. As a chamber musician he has performed in Finland, Estonia, Russia, Germany, France, Spain and Canada. Mikko Raasakka has appeared as soloist on several CDs and records regularly for the Finnish Broadcasting Company. Since 1997 he has been a member of Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä, where he currently holds the position of principal clarinet. In addition to his artistic work he is the author of a comprehensive guide on contemporary clarinet technique, published during spring 2009.

JANUARY 2009

NIEMINEN, K.: Palomar / Clarinet Concerto, "Through Shadows I Can Hear Ancient Voices" / Vicoli in ombra (Gallois, Raasakka, Sinfonia Finlandia)	8.572061