Markku Luolajan-Mikkola

Job description

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola is teaching viol, baroque cello and chamber music.

Introduction

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola is one of the leading performers, educators, organisers and innovators on the Finnish early-music scene. He plays various viols and historical cellos and has been appearing in recitals and chamber ensembles since the 1990s. Thanks to him, the majority of the works in his repertoire ranging from the 16th century to the present day have received their first performance in Finland.In 2010, Markku Luolajan-Mikkola founded Finland’s leading early-music event – the BRQ Vantaa Festival (originally the Vantaa Music Festival) of which he is still Artistic Director. .

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola graduated in modern cello from the Sibelius Academy in 1983 and earned postgraduate diplomas in both viola da gamba and Baroque cello at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague in 1992.

Teaching

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola has been teaching at the Sibelius Academy and other music institutions since 1976. From 2005 to 2015 he was an Honorary Member of the Senior Common Room during Phantasm Viol Consort’s residence at Magdalen College, Oxford.

Artistic activities

In the course of his career, Luolajan-Mikkola has already given over a thousand concerts in various parts of the world. In addition to his native Finland he can, in 2022, be heard in Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary and Estonia.

In 2015–2017, Luolajan-Mikkola performed music by Marin Marais and Antoine Forqueray at five concerts in the Sibelius Academy’s prestigious Soiva akatemia series. Last year saw the completion of a Peregrina†io tour project during which he performed Bach’s complete cello suites as well as his transcriptions for cello of the violin sonatas and partitas at each of Finland’s medieval stone churches. The Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) honoured him with its Musical Act of the Year award in 2003 for a series of concerts entitled Gambaa! focusing on French Baroque music.

The significance and future of historical instruments will not, Luolajan-Mikkola believes, be restricted to the performance of music by composers from ages past; they will also increase our understanding of our own era and revitalise the instruments’ expressive potential. The majority of the numerous works premiered by him are ones he has personally commissioned.

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola has an impressive discography: nearly 50 discs of solo and chamber works, many of them in world premiere recordings. They have won him a Finnish Janne Award, an Yle (Finnish Broadcasting Company) special honour prize and a Classical Emma (2007), and been singled out as Best Record of the Year by the leading Finnish daily Helsingin Sanomat. Luolajan-Mikkola is a founding member of the Phantasm viol concert that has garnered such major accolades as three Gramophone Awards (1996, 2004, 2017), a Diapason d’Or de l’année (2017), and Limelight Magazine’s Best Chamber Music CD (2015). Phantasm’s releases have also won numerous other distinctions, such as a Gramophone Editor’s Choice (five times), a BBC Music Magazine Record of the Month (three times), a Diapason d’Or (twice), a Gramophone Critic’s Choice, a Choc du Monde, a Presto Classical Editor’s Choice and Rondo magazine’s Record of the Month. Its recordings have also had some twenty or so nominations for major prizes.

Research and publications

Discography & Premieres ~ Markku Luolajan-Mikkola 

1-2) J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas BWV 1001-1006 (double CD)

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, baroque cello

Linn Records (CKD 548) 2016 

****** Klassisk Music Magazine

3) Gamba Nova 

Contemporary music for baroque instruments and voices 

Wennäkoski, Vuori, Hämeenniemi & Tiensuu 

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba 

With Aminoff – Haavisto – Häkkinen – Kentala – Komsi – Kulo – Tiensuu 

ALBA (ABCD 259) 2008

-Emma Award (Finland): The best classical music CD (2008) 

4) François Couperin: Pieces de Violes

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba 

Mikko Perkola, viola da gamba

Aapo Häkkinen, cembalo

AVIE (AV 2132) 2007 

5) J.S. Bach: Sonatas BWV 1027-1030 

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba 

Miklós Spányi, tangent klavier 

(BIS-CD-1061) 2000 

6) Marin Marais: Pièces de viole du second livre 

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba


Basso continuo: Varpu Haavisto, Eero Palviainen, Elina Mustonen 

(BIS-CD-909) 1998 

7) Jupiter 

Antoine Forqueray: Suites I ja V 

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba

Basso continuo: Mika Suihkonen and Anssi Mattila 

Alba Records (ABCD 111) 1996

-The Best CDs of the year 1996, Helsingin Sanomat (1996)

8) Trang 

Marin Marais: Suitte d’un gôut etranger 

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba

Continuo Group of Battalia

Alba Records (ABCD107) 1995

-Janne Award in Finland (renamed as ‘Emma Award’ afterwards) (1995)

-Finnish Broadcast Company especial award (1995) 

WITH PHANTASM VIOL CONSORT

9) Johann Sebastian Bach: The Well-Tempered Consort – II

Phantasm 

Linn Records (CKD 657) 2021

-Editor’s choice, Gramophone (May 2021)

-Gramophone Magazine, the best classical albums of 2021 – so far (June 2021)

10) Johann Sebastian Bach: The Well-Tempered Consort – I

Phantasm 

Linn Records (CKD 618) 2020

-BBC Music Magazine the Best Classical Albums of 2020

-BBC Music Magazine Chamber Music Recording of the Month  (2020)

-Le Devoir (Canada) The 10 Best Albums of the Year 2020

-NPO Radio 4, Recording of the Week, The Netherlands (2020)

-Rondo Magazine (Finland) Recording of the Month (2020)

11) Mathew Locke: For Lovers of Consort music

Phantasm with Elizabeth Kenny, theorbo

Linn Records (CKD 594) 2018

-Europadic Top 10 Album of 2018 

-iClassical: Colector’s Choice 

12) Christopher Tye: Complete Consort Music 

Phantasm

Linn Records CDK 571) 2017 

-Presto Classical, Editor’s Choice (September 2017) 

-Presto Classical, Top 100 Recordings of the Year 2017

-Nomination for ICM Award – Best Early music Recording 2018

13) John Dowland: Lachrimae or Seven Tears 

Phantasm with Elizabeth Kenny, lute

Linn records (CKD 527) 2016

-Diapason d’Or de l’année “Musique ancienne” (2017) 

-Winner Gramophone Award – Best Early Music Recording (2017)

-Nomination for ICM Awards (2017)

-BBC Music Magazine Record of the Month (2016)

-Editor’s choice, Gramophone (2016)

-Gramophone Critic’s Choice (December 2016)

14-15) William Lawes: The Royal Consort (double CD) 

Phantasm with Elizabeth Kenny, theorbo and Daniel Hyde, organ

Linn records (CKD 470) 2015

-Limelight Magazine (Australia), Best Chamber Music Recording of the year (2015)

-Editor’s choice, Gramophone (June 2015)

-BBC Radio 3 Recording of the week (2015)

-BBC Music Magazine Award nomination for Chamber Music (January 2016)

-ICM Finalist for Baroque Instrumental Music Award (2016)

-Nominated for Gramophone Baroque Instrumental Award (2016)

16) Diederich Buxtehude: Membra Jesu Nostri 

Choir of Magdalene College, Oxford Ainsley-Blaze-Underwood, singers 

Daniel, Hyde, organ

Phantasm 

Opus Arte (OA CD9023 D) 2014 

17) William Lawes: Consorts to the organ 

Phantasm with Daniel Hyde, organ 

(Linn records CKD 399) 2012 

-BBC Music Magazine, Chamber Music Choice (September 2012)

-BBC Music Magazine Award Nomination (January 2013)

-Finalist for Gramophone Early Music Award (2013)

-Nominated for ICM Award (2013)

18) William Byrd: Complete Consort Music 

Phantasm

Linn Records (CKD 372) 2011

-Diapason d’Or (July 2011)

-BBC Music Magazine CD of the Month (August 2011)

-Editor’s choice, Gramophone (September 2011)

-Nominated for ICM Award (2012)

-Nominated for Gramophone Award – Early Music (2011)

18) William Byrd: Complete Consort Music 

Phantasm

Linn Records (CKD 372) 2011

-Diapason d’Or (July 2011)

-BBC Music Magazine CD of the Month (August 2011)

-Editor’s choice, Gramophone (September 2011)

-Nominated for ICM Award (2012)

-Nominated for Gramophone Award – Early Music (2011)

19) John Ward: Consort Music for Five and Six viols 

Phantasm

Linn Records (CKD 339) 2010 

-Finalist for Gramophone Early Music Award (2010)

20) John Jenkins: Five-Part Consorts 

Phantasm 

AVIE (AV 2120) 2007 

-Finalist for Gramophone Early Music Award (2007)

-Finalist for MIDEM Classical Award in Early Music (2008)

21) John Jenkins: Six-Part Consorts 

Phantasm 

AVIE (AV 2099) 2006 

-Nominated for Gramophone Award – Early Music (2006)

22) Four Temperaments: Byrd, Ferrabosco, Parsons & Tallis 

Phantasm 

AVIE (AV 2054) 2004 

-Editor’s Choice, Gramophone (June 2005)                      

-Nominated for Gramophone Award – Early Music (2005)

23) Orlando Gibbons: Consorts for Viols 

Phantasm

AVIE (AV 0032) 2003

-Winner of the Gramophone Award (2004)                          

-Finalist Gramophone Record of the Year (2004)

-Nominated for IMC Award – Early music (2015)

24) William Lawes: Consorts in Six Parts 

Phantasm

Channel Classics (CCS 17498) 2001 

25) Fairest Isle 

William Byrd etc. 

Barbara Bonney with Phantasm and other musicians 

DECCA (466132-2) 2001 

-Nominated for Grammy Award – Best Vocal Recording of the Year (2002)

26) William Lawes: Consorts in Four and Five Parts 

Phantasm

Channel Classics (CCS 15698) 1999 

-Editor’s Choice, Gramophone (August 2000)

-Nominated for Gramophone Award – Best Baroque Instrumental recording (2001)

27) Matthew Locke: Consort Music 

Phantasm

Global Music Network 1998 

28) Byrd Song 

Songs and Consorts by William Byrd 

Phantasm

Simax Classics (PSC 1191) 1998 

29) Art of Fugue 

J.S.Bach/W.A.Mozart-Bach/W.A.Mozart

Phantasm

Simax Classics (PSC 1135) 1997 

30) Still music of the Spheres 

Consorts by William Byrd and Richard Mico 

Phantasm

(Simax Classics PSC 1143) 1997

-Nominated for Gramophone Award – Best Early Music Recording (1999)

-Rondo magazine: Recording of the Month (1998)

31) Henry Purcell: Complete Fantasies for Viols 

Phantasm

Simax Classics (PSC 1124) 1996

-Winner of the Gramophone Award – Best Baroque (Non-Vocal) Recording (1997)

-Diapason d’Or (April 2003)

-Choc du Monde de la Musique (April 2003)

WITH BERGEN BAROKK 

32) Suite Life

French baroque music 

Bergen Barokk

Lawo Classics (LWC 1096) 2016 

33) Georg Philipp Telemann: Harmonicher Gottes-Dienst Vol. 6 

The Cantatas for high voice, oboe and basso continuo 

Bergen Barokk 

Toccata Classics (TOCC 0180) 2015 

34) Domestic Bach 

Bergen Barokk

Lawo Classics (LWC1073) 2015 

35) Georg Philipp Telemann: Harmonicher Gottes-Dienst Vol.5 

The Cantatas for high voice, violin and basso continuo 1 

Bergen Barokk

Toccata Classics (TOCC 0102) 2013 

36) Georg Philipp Telemann: Harmonicher Gottes-Dienst Vol.4 

The Cantatas for middle voice, transverse flute and basso continuo 1 

Bergen Barokk

Toccata Classics (TOCC 0084) 2012 

37) Georg Philipp Telemann: Harmonicher Gottes-Dienst Vol.3 

The Cantatas for high voice, recorder and basso continuo 

Bergen Barokk

Toccata Classics (TOCC 0074) 2011 

38) A Holberg Recital III “A Copenhagen mix 

Music by Carl August Thielo, Samuel Simon Weise, Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Adolph Scheibe and Johann Valentin Görber

Bergen Barokk

(BD7067CD) 2010 

39) Georg Friedrich Händel: Solo Cantatas 

Marianne Beata Kielland Bergen Barokk

(ARS 38087) 2010 

40) Georg Philipp Telemann: Harmonicher Gottes-Dienst Vol.2 

The Cantatas for middle voice, violin and basso continuo 

Bergen Barokk

Toccata Classics (TOCC0057) 2009 

41) A Holberg Recital II “Alla Francese” 

Music by Marais, Marchand, Visée and Dieupart 

Bergen Barokk

(BD7067CD) 2009 

42) A Holberg Recital I “A Taste of Italy” 

Sonatas by Benedetto Marcello, Johann Pepush & Arcangelo Corelli 

Bergen Barokk 

(BD7062CD) 2008 

43) Georg Philipp Telemann: Harmonicher Gottes-Dienst Vol.1 

The Cantatas for high voice, recorder and basso continuo 

Bergen Barokk

Toccata Classics (TOCC 0037) 2006 

44) Georg von Bertouch: Trio Sonatas 

with the pieces from The Music Book of Jacob Mestmacher 

Bergen Barokk

Toccata Classics (TOCC 0006) 2005 

45) The Lonely Shepherd 

Cantatas by J.C. Pepusch with music by Finger, Paisible, Blow & Purcell 

Bergen Barokk

(BIS-CD-965) 1998 

46) Veracini – Barsanti 

Francesco Maria Veracini and Francesco Barsanti: Sonatas for recorder and basso continuo

Bergen Barokk 

Simax Classics (1122) 1996 

OTHER RECORDINGS 

47) Domenico Gabrielli & Alessandro Scarlatti: Complete Cello Works 

Guadalupe López-Íñiguez, baroque cello

Continuo group:

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, baroque cello

Olly Hyyrynen, baroque guitar and archlute 

Lauri Honkavirta, harpsichord 

Alba Records (ABCD 412) 2017 

48) Nuorvala 7.13 

Luolajan-Mikkola (viola da gamba) and other Finnish musicians 

Alba Records (ABCD 376) 2015 

49) Christoph Graupner: Trio sonatas 

Finnish Baroque Orchestra players

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, baroque cello and viola da gamba 

Ondine (ODE 1240-2)

2014

-The best CDs of the year 2015, Helsingin Sanomat (2015)

50) Mauro Giuliani: Duos and Trios 

Erkki Palola, violin

Ilkka Virta, guitar

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, cello 

Alba Records (ABCD 124:1-2) 1998 

In addition, Markku Luolajan-Mikkola has recorded several CDs and LPs with other orchestras and ensembles. 

Compositions premiered by Markku Luolajan-Mikkola

  • Sampsa Ertamo: Gamba Squad (2005-2006) for six viols 
  • Lucio Garau: Passioni (2006) for solo bass viol 
  • Lucio Garau: Contrappunto (2008) bass viol and live electronics 
  • Kimmo Hakola: Tuskan saleissa (2001) for soprano, tenor and baroque ensemble
  • Eero Hämeenniemi: Valkalam (1996) for two bass viols and harpsichord 
  • Heinz-Juhani Hofmann: Tränennass for bass viol (2016)
  • Eero Hämeenniemi: Fantazia in G (1998) for bass viol and harpsichord
  • Eero Hämeenniemi: Music for the play by Nick Dearin (2006) for violin, bass viol and harpsichord
  • Eero Hämeenniemi: Ricercare (2008) for treble, tenor and bass viols
  • Eero Hämeenniemi: Sab kahan? (2011) Five Songs to the Ghazals of Mirza Ghalib for voice, two bass viols, lute and tabla
  • Mikko Kervinen: Winter music (2003) for recorder, violin, bass viol and harpsichord 
  • Olli Koskelin: Grounds (2000) for two bass viols 
  • Jyrki Linjama: Sarabande (2003) for two bass viols and harpsichord 
  • Kirmo Lintinen: Madrigaali David ja Batseba (2001) for soprano, tenor and baroque ensemble
  • Kirmo Lintinen: Ooppera Fitness (2007)
  • Giovanni Mancuso: Mancino, Ricorda! (2008) for three viols
  • Juhani Nuorvala: Solo per viola da gamba (2008)
  • Juhani Nuorvala: 7.13 (2001) for soprano, tenor and baroque ensemble
  • Hannu Pohjannoro: Nikean uskontunnustus (2005) two voices, guitar and bass viol
  • Paolo Rossato: Intraludos (2004) for bass viol
  • Jukka Tiensuu: Tiet 1.-3. (2003) for recorder, violin, bass viol and harpsichord
  • Jukka Tiensuu: Musica ambigua movements I, V ja VI for recorder, violin, bass viol 
and harpsichord
  • Jukka Tiensuu: Blood (2003) for bass viol
  • Tapio Tuomela: Govadas (2002) for contra-alto, baryton and baroque ensemble
  • Tapio Tuomela: Pyhä, Pyhä (2005) voice, guitar and bass viol 
  • Olli Virtaperko: Songs of innocence, lust and sorrow (2011) for two bass viols
  • Harri Vuori: From the day to dream (1999) tenor and bass viol 
  • Harri Vuori: Kutsu yön tanssiin (1997) for two bass viol and harpsichord
  • Lotta Wennäkoski: Procris (2003) for soprano and bass viol 
  • Matthew Whittall: Amor, el mar, y la noche (2013) for female voice and viola da gamba

Expertise

  • Early Music
  • Contemporary music for early instruments
  • Consort music
  • JS Bach

Websites