This multiple award-winning pianist, Born in 1970, is considered »Finland’s most internationally renowned jazz musician« (Jazz Finland). As a »natural phenomenon on the keys« (Jazzthing) Iiro Rantala is a singular master of his instrument, able to expertly combine virtuosity with intelligence, emotion and humour.

Rantala studied Jazz Piano at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, as well as classical piano at the Manhattan School of Music. In his home country, he is a superstar and musical ambassador with his own television programme. However, this excellent all-rounder is well-known far beyond the borders of Scandinavia, having won an ›Echo Jazz‹ in the category ›Best International Pianist‹. His very own Trio Töykeät, with whom he also played until 2006, has given 2300 concerts in over 40 countries and with his surprising ideas, has turned many genres – particularly the tango – completely upside down.

In addition, Rantala has composed for numerous theatre pieces, musicals and feature films and since 2011 has been at the helm of the Jazz Piano Festival in Kapsäkki. Alongside his work for fim, television, radio and also as solo artist, Rantala has also produced several great albums; the album ›Lost Heroes‹ released in 2011 was celebrated by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as a »Masterpiece« and the German Record Critics’ Award was only one of several prestigious awards it received. The Finn regularly performs with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen and never fails to amaze his audience.

Antti Tikkanen is a versatile musician who, as soloist, chamber musician and leader, has a broad repertoire that ranges from early Baroque to contemporary modern music. This Finnish musician performs frequently on the international stage not least with the internationally acclaimed string quartet Meta4, which he founded together with his wife the violinist Minna Pensola. Together, this couple also organises the chamber music series ›PuKama‹, for which they commission new repertoire and accompany up-and-coming, talented players on their journey to becoming fully-fledged concert performers. Antti Tikkanen also teaches at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Between 2014 and 2017, he was Artistic Director of the Finnish Baroque Orchestra and in 2020/21 a curatorial group member of Helsinki Festival’s ›Wonderfeel-Weekend‹. He has been Associate Artistic Director of the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival since 2021 and in the 2022-24 seasons, Artistic Partner with the Joensuu City Orchestra. This current season will see him perform with various ensembles across Europe and North America. In this concert with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen, in which he will be playing the Stradivarius ›ex-Berglund‹, on generous loan from the Finnish Cultural Foundation, Antti Tikkanen will be performing as both leader and conductor of the orchestra.

This Finnish violinist has a reputation as a powerful artist, an inspiring soloist and an energetic orchestral leader. Minna Pensola studied at Zurich College of Music and Drama and at the Sibelius Academy Helsinki where she also now teaches. Born in Helsinki, she regularly organises club-evenings there which combine classical music with the relaxed evening atmosphere of a bar. Together with her husband, the violinist Antti Tikkanen, she organises the Chamber Music Series ›PuKama‹ which creates new ways of reaching audiences. In addition, Minna Pensola has also appeared at numerous chamber music festivals. As a founding member of the string quartet Meta4, she has performed in numerous international musical cities.

Minna Pensola has been Associate Artistic Director of Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival since 2021 and between 2019 and 2024, Artistic Partner with the Joensuu City Orchestra as well as a curatorial group member of Helsinki Festival’s ›Wonderfeel-Weekend‹. She also maintains strong links with Finnish composers who have already dedicated many works to her. Together with Iiro Rantala and his double concerto, she will be performing her debut with the Deutsche Kammer­philharmonie Bremen.