Otto Tolonen
Otto Tolonen, born in 1980, has studied music since he was five. After the first few years learning the piano, his instrument has been the guitar, which he first studied with Andrzej Wilkus at the Espoo Music Institute. He continued his music studies at the Sibelius Academy (Helsinki) as a student of Timo Korhonen and Jukka Savijoki and got his soloist diploma from the Sibelius Academy with the maximum points in 2005 and received his master’s degree in 2008. Otto has also studied in Weimar, Germany, at Hochschule für Musik ”Franz Liszt” with Thomas Müller-Pering and four summers with legendary Oscar Ghiglia at "Accademia Musicale Chigiana" in Siena, Italy, where he was awarded a diploma of honour (Diploma di Merito) in three consecutive years. At the moment he is preparing the plan for the doctoral studies at the Sibelius Academy. Otto Tolonen is one of the most successful Finnish classical guitarists. During the years 1995-2009 he won prizes and awards in 20 international competitions in Europe, Japan, Australia and USA. His latest achievements include the first prizes in the Anders Segovia Competition in Spain and in the competition in Markneukirchen, Germany, which is currently considered as the most demanding competition by the programme. Otto has given recitals both in Finland and in many countries around the world. He has performed in the Northern America in Nashville Virtuoso Showcase concert series, in Cincinnati and on a Sibelius Academy tour to Michigan, Milwaukee and Illinois. In the Southern America he has had concerts in Manuel de Falla museum in Alta Gracia, Argentina and at Belo Horizonte guitar festival in Brazil. He has performed extensively in Scandinavia, in the Moscow Philharmony’s Rachmaninov Hall, in the Baltic countries (e.g. Saint Christopher festival, Vilnius) and especially in Central Europe (e.g. Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Amsterdam, the Hague, Münster, Bamberg, Weimar, Bratislava, Vienna, Rust, Rome, Pescara, Esztergom, Düsseldorf, Cologne). In October 2010 Sibelius Academy arranged his so-called Debut Concert in Helsinki. The repertoire of Otto Tolonen spans from the renaissance vihuela and lute works to contemporary music. In addition to solo and chamber music works the famous guitar concertos also belong to his repertoire. He has performed as a soloist for instance with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Jyväskylä Sinfonia, Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra, German Chursächsischen Philharmonie and Polish AUKSO Chamber Orchestra. Tolonen works intensively with contemporary music. He has won great international acclaim for his performances of guitar works by Hans Werner Henze and is a sought-after interpreter of Henze’s music. Lately he has much worked on French guitar music from the 20th century. His repertoire includes works also by Finnish present-day composers like Kaija Saariaho, Erik Bergman, Jouni Kaipainen, Riikka Talvitie, Pehr Henrik Nordgren, Jyrki Linjama, Adam Vilagi and Jarkko Hartikainen. He has commissioned and premiered works both in Finland and abroad. Together with Pasi Eerikäinen (violin) and Antti Leinonen (accordion) Otto Tolonen forms trio Tjango! All the members of the trio are highly praised as representatives of their own instruments. The passion for Latin American and French music, tango and jazz standards, like those of Django Reinhardt, makes the performance of this young and courageous ensemble strong and charismatic. Otto Tolonen gives also concerts together with violinist Linda Hedlund. Their first recording was published in 2011 by Austrian Classic Concert Records. Tolonen has given master courses in Germany, Italy, United States and Brazil. In Finland he teaches at the Espoo Music Institute, Turku Conservatory, Särestö Academy and at Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu School. He has received grants from Finnish Cultural Foundation, Wihuri Foundation, Kordelin Foundation and Pro Musica Foundation. Otto Tolonen plays cedar top guitars made by Keijo Korelin (Finland) and Camillo Perrella (Italy). ”His technique is just excellent, his sense for sound, for subtle colours and his instinct for expressive dynamics, tension, dimension and drama in the music could be described as rare and quite unique.” (Thomas Müller-Pering) ”This talent radiates great maturity and absolute mastery on the stage.” (Thomas Nytsch – Fränkischer Tag) ”An uncompromising young man” (Colin Cooper – Cassical Guitar)