Larimatti Punelpuro was born on May 15, 1985, in Helsinki, Finland. She was born into a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a cellist. From a young age, Larimatti showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Larimatti's early musical education was under the guidance of her mother, who taught her the basics of piano playing. She later went on to study at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where she received a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance. During her time at the academy, Larimatti was mentored by some of the most renowned pianists in Finland, including Liisa Pohjola and Risto Lauriala. After completing her studies, Larimatti began performing professionally, both as a soloist and as a chamber musician. Her performances were highly acclaimed, and she quickly gained a reputation as one of the most promising young pianists in Finland. In 2008, she won the prestigious Maj Lind Piano Competition, which is held every four years and is considered one of the most important piano competitions in Finland. Following her success at the Maj Lind Piano Competition, Larimatti began to receive invitations to perform at major music festivals and concert halls around the world. She made her debut at the Berlin Philharmonic in 2010, where she performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle. The performance was a huge success, and Larimatti received a standing ovation from the audience. Over the years, Larimatti has performed with some of the most renowned orchestras in the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Vienna Philharmonic. She has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Daniel Barenboim, Gustavo Dudamel, and Valery Gergiev. In addition to her work as a soloist, Larimatti is also an accomplished chamber musician. She has performed with many of the world's leading chamber ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet, the Tokyo String Quartet, and the Guarneri Quartet. Her collaborations with these ensembles have been highly praised for their musicality and sensitivity. Larimatti's repertoire is vast and includes works by many of the great composers, including Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, and Schumann. She is particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and has recorded several of his piano works to critical acclaim. Throughout her career, Larimatti has received numerous awards and accolades for her performances. In addition to her win at the Maj Lind Piano Competition, she has also won the Young Artist of the Year award from the Finnish Music Foundation, the Pro Finlandia Medal from the Finnish government, and the Avery Fisher Career Grant from the Avery Fisher Artist Program in New York. Despite her success, Larimatti remains humble and dedicated to her craft. She continues to perform regularly and is committed to promoting classical music to new audiences around the world. Her passion for music and her dedication to her art have made her one of the most respected and admired pianists of her generation.

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