Hanna Pakkala

Violist Hanna Pakkala (b. 1985) is one of Finland's most internationally active viola artists of the younger generation. She works as a freelance chamber musician in Helsinki Baroque Orchestra as the section leader and as a guest section leader in other Finnish orchestras. From 2016 to 2022 she was the solo violist of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra and a part of the Kokkola-quartet. He also teaches viola at the Sibelius Academy. Pakkala's first solo recording, Hans Gál: Music for Viola Volume 1 (Toccata Classics), was released in 2019 to excellent reviews (including Gramophone). During 2022 and 2023, Pakkala has worked on a Baroque viola recording of J.S. Bach's solo cello suites with the help of artist grants from the Wihuri Fund and the Central Ostrobothnia Regional Fund. Hanna Pakkala's playing emphasises stylistic awareness, lively dynamism and expressive sound. As a musician and teacher, she attaches great importance to the profound experience of musical meanings and the flowing interaction between the player, the composer and the listener.