Mervi Kinnarinen

I violin

I was born in Lahti, where specialised music classes were set up at school in the mid-1960s. My mother had me apply in the 1970s, and I was able to begin violin studies at the Music Institute at the same time. Without these two institutions and a series of fine teachers, I do not think I would have become a musician.

Piano, violin, orchestra and music theory filled up my life, and I completed upper secondary school in the form of night classes in order to have more time for music. I briefly toyed with the dream of becoming an architect, but having been accepted for the Sibelius Academy I never looked back. In 1990, a 1st Violin vacancy was announced in the Tapiola Sinfonietta, and I immediately decided I wanted to apply, because having played gigs with various orchestras I had found that I enjoyed small ensembles best. And I got the job!

I developed an interest in Baroque music during my studies, as around that time the good tidings of historically informed performance were just arriving in Finland. On switch leave, I went to the Netherlands to learn more, and after returning home I eagerly played Baroque violin with a number of groups. Baroque music remains the genre dearest to me.

As a contrast to work, I exercise and do gardening. I also enjoy other branches of the arts, from visual art to theatre and literature. What I enjoy most is silence and the company of my cats Peppi and Leevi.