Role

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Conductor

 

Erkki Lasonpalo was a Finnish classical music artist who was born on May 22, 1930, in Helsinki, Finland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist. Erkki started playing the piano at a young age and showed great talent and passion for music. Erkki Lasonpalo studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he received his diploma in piano performance in 1953. He continued his studies in Paris with the renowned pianist Marguerite Long. During his time in Paris, Erkki also studied composition with Nadia Boulanger. Erkki Lasonpalo made his debut as a soloist with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra in 1953, playing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. He quickly gained recognition as a talented pianist and was invited to perform with many orchestras in Finland and abroad. One of the highlights of Erkki Lasonpalo's career was his performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1960. The performance was highly acclaimed by critics and established Erkki as one of the leading pianists of his generation. Erkki Lasonpalo was also a prolific chamber musician and collaborated with many renowned musicians, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. He was a member of the Helsinki Trio, which was formed in 1955 and performed together for over 30 years. In addition to his career as a performer, Erkki Lasonpalo was also a respected teacher. He taught at the Sibelius Academy from 1960 to 1995 and was a mentor to many young pianists. Erkki Lasonpalo received many awards and honors throughout his career. In 1961, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal for his contributions to Finnish culture. He was also awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland in 1975 and the Order of the White Rose of Finland in 1995. Erkki Lasonpalo continued to perform and teach until his death on December 22, 1998, in Helsinki, Finland. He left behind a legacy as one of Finland's greatest pianists and musicians.

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