MIKKO IVARS

Cello

WORK

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

My main job. I joined the orchestra in 2003, after working six years in the Finnish National Opera.

Always been an orchestra musician, also Helsinki Philharmonic and Tapiola Sinfonietta have also occupied me with shorter contracts during years.

FRSO website

Virtuosi di Kuhmo Chamber Orchestra

This fine string ensemble started from the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival in the 90´s. Recently we´ve been nourishing the tradition with a bit smaller group - specializing in larger chamber works. Really interesting stuff to be found in that niche!

I´m also involved behind the scenes, managing and planning the programmes of the ensemble

VdK website

Avanti! Chamber Orchestra

For twenty years, I´ve been involved with Avanti! An ensemble hard to describe - mostly contemporary, but not only.

Being the cellist of the of Avanti! String Quartet, this ensemble has taken me to many, many great countries & locations!

Avanti! website

Hauho Music Festival

I founded this small festival in 2002 with my long-time friend, and we have been managing it since. Long hours, but definately worth it! Located in province of Häme in Finland, always inJuly. second week after the famous Nordic Midsummer.

Hauho Music Festival Home

INTRESTS, PROJECTS

  • Chamber Music

    In addition to the orchestra work, this is my stuff. I love working with great colleagues and friends.

  • Coaching

    I don´t have regular students, but I still enjoy coaching younger colleagues, whether it is chamber music or orchestral parts before an important audition.

  • String Arranging

    Whenever I hear a good string arr from radio, I instantly Shazam the piece to tag it for further learning.

    Fortunately I´ve had recently opportunities to write string arrs for some fine Finnish songwriters like Samae Koskinen, Samuli Putro and also some studio sessions & projects.

    You´ll find a playlist below, if interested.

  • Learning New

    My history with bootstrapping the Hauho Music Festival has been a real motivator for learning "real-life" skills.
    Almost all things related to producing have I came across. So I´ve been trying to learn bit more always when there´s time.

    Keywords:
    Producing & Marketing (events), Writing (program notes), Web-site building (this one too..) Brainstorming generally.

  • Need Help?

    I´m always interested in new projects

    In that case, contact me: mikko.ivars (()) gmail.com !

MUSIC:

From FRSO Chamber Music Series 2021

Brahms: Clarinet Quintet

From Hauho Music Festival 2020

Louise Farrenc: Piano Quintet no.2

Some of my string arrangements

A Spotify playlist