Elina Mustonen is a Finnish harpsichordist and pianist who has established herself as one of the leading performers of early music in Europe. Born in Helsinki in 1978, Mustonen began her musical studies at the age of six, learning the piano from her mother, a professional pianist. She later studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where she received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance. After completing her studies, Mustonen began to focus on early music, particularly the harpsichord, which she found to be a fascinating instrument with a rich history and repertoire. She studied with renowned harpsichordists such as Gustav Leonhardt and Pierre Hantaï, and quickly established herself as a talented and versatile performer. Mustonen has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and North America, appearing at major festivals and concert halls such as the Edinburgh International Festival, the Wigmore Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Lincoln Center in New York. She has also collaborated with many leading early music ensembles, including the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the Academy of Ancient Music, and Les Arts Florissants. One of Mustonen's most notable performances was her debut at the BBC Proms in 2010, where she performed Bach's Goldberg Variations on the harpsichord to critical acclaim. The Guardian praised her "crisp, clear playing" and "impeccable sense of timing," while The Times called her performance "mesmerizing." In addition to her performances, Mustonen is also a respected teacher and scholar of early music. She has taught at the Sibelius Academy and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, and has given masterclasses and lectures at universities and conservatories around the world. She has also published articles and essays on early music and performance practice, and is a sought-after consultant for early music recordings and productions. Mustonen has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a performer and scholar. In 2003, she was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Music, one of the highest honors in Finnish music. She has also been awarded the ECHO Klassik Award, the Diapason d'Or, and the Gramophone Award, among others. Despite her many accomplishments, Mustonen remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform and record regularly, and is always seeking new ways to explore and interpret the music of the past. As she once said in an interview, "I feel that I am just scratching the surface of what is possible with early music.

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