Asko Heiskanen

Clarinet, sub-principal

I am from Kuopio, a city with a lively tradition of wind bands. As a child, I envisioned myself playing trombone with a local wind band, Rajalan Puhaltajat. On the threshold, I switched my ambition from trombone to clarinet and was pleased as anything to begin practising on this wonderful instrument. Thanks to good, encouraging and inspiring teachers, I went on to study at the Sibelius Academy, at the Geneva Conservatory and at the Music Academy in Barcelona.

Alongside my studies I was fortunate to spend some time playing with professional orchestras, and one day I found myself in the Tapiola Sinfonietta. I still remember how impressed I was with the high quality and ensemble playing of its members. A few years later, the orchestra established a second clarinet post, and I was fortunate enough to be appointed to it. No one was happier than me on that day.

In addition to modern clarinets, I take an interest in historical instruments. I own a number of clarinets from across the centuries, beginning with an 18th-century chalumeau and including late Romantic instruments. It makes a nice change to play music on these old instruments, because the experience feeds back into how I play my modern instrument.