Raili Viljakainen is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born on May 5, 1975, in Helsinki, Finland, Raili showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue music as a career. Raili's musical journey began with her enrollment in the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and teacher, Liisa Pohjola. She completed her Bachelor's degree in Music in 1998 and went on to pursue her Master's degree in Music at the same institution. During her time at the Sibelius Academy, Raili participated in several competitions and won numerous awards. In 1996, she won the first prize in the Young Musicians' Competition in Helsinki, which was a significant achievement for her. She also won the first prize in the International Piano Competition in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1998. After completing her studies at the Sibelius Academy, Raili continued her musical education at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hannover, Germany. There, she studied under the guidance of renowned pianist and teacher, Karl-Heinz Kämmerling. She completed her postgraduate studies in 2002 and returned to Finland to pursue her career as a professional pianist. Raili's career as a professional pianist began with her debut performance at the Helsinki Music Centre in 2003. Since then, she has performed in several countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Her performances have been highly acclaimed by audiences and critics alike, and she has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. One of the highlights of Raili's career was her performance at the Helsinki Music Centre in 2007, where she played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. The performance was a huge success, and Raili received a standing ovation from the audience. Raili has also performed with several other orchestras, including the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. She has collaborated with several renowned conductors, including Hannu Lintu, Okko Kamu, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste. In addition to her performances, Raili has also recorded several albums. Her debut album, "Beethoven: Piano Sonatas," was released in 2005 and received critical acclaim. She has since released several other albums, including "Chopin: Piano Works," "Schumann: Piano Works," and "Bach: Goldberg Variations." Raili's contribution to the world of music has been recognized with several awards and honors. In 2008, she was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal, which is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Finnish citizen. She has also been awarded the Finnish State Prize for Music and the Sibelius Medal. Raili Viljakainen is a talented and accomplished classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Her performances have been highly acclaimed, and she has received numerous awards and accolades for her work. She continues to inspire and delight audiences with her music, and her legacy as a pianist will undoubtedly endure for generations to come.

More....