Matti Tegelman

My father Heikki Tegelman was an architect who has always been a music enthusiast, and my three brothers have also created careers in music. It was only natural that I took up the piano and singing. Our family moved to Tanzania in 1979. Bob Smith, the energetic music teacher at the International School in Dar es Salaam, had written out Paul McCartney’s bass parts for a Beatles musical. My motivation to learn to read music suddenly increased, and I discovered the bass!

   Once we had returned to Finland, I applied to the Kuopio Music Institute to study the double bass on the advice of my brother Pekka. A new musical world opened up through the Music Institute symphony orchestra.

   After upper secondary school, I decided on the suggestion of a friend to apply to the Sibelius Academy. My first attempt went nowhere, but I was motivated enough to continue, and for the following year I travelled regularly by train to Helsinki for lessons with Juha Pesonen. The effort paid off: I entered the Sibelius Academy in 1986. Thanks, Juha!

   I enjoyed the intense teaching of Jussi Javas in particular, and periods with the string orchestra of the Sibelius Academy and particularly under the coaching of Paavo Pohjola were also memorable. When I was approaching my diploma examination, Teemu Hauta-aho came to my aid in lending me one of his instruments. Thanks, ‘Graveyard’!

   On the orchestral front, playing with the Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera as a temp was a great experience. I also occasionally had gigs with the newly established Espoo City Orchestra. I became intimately familiar with the bus network of Espoo as I lugged my double bass around the city. I auditioned for a permanent post in 1989 and took up the permanent appointment as Double Bass with the Tapiola Sinfonietta in 1990. Thanks, Jussi!

  I have later come to understand what a unique opportunity it was to get in on the ground floor in a new orchestra. We were able to evolve a workplace culture without historical baggage. A small orchestra is flexible and quick in its reactions, almost like a rock band! I have been able to do audience outreach work, be involved in culture for kids, perform jazz and prog rock and pursue my own projects. In recent years I have begun to write music again, just for myself but perhaps for the enjoyment of others too. Even after 30 years, it is difficult to talk about music as a job, because it is still the hobby I love best.