Jan-Erik Gustafsson

Cello, Artistic Director

Jan-Erik Gustafsson is one of Finland’s most distinguished and internationally sought-after cellists, active as a soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. He began his studies at the West Helsinki Music Institute with Markku Luolajan-Mikkola and continued at the Edsberg Institute in Stockholm with Mikhail Homitser and Frans Helmerson, completing his soloist diploma in 1992.

He gained international recognition at the age of fifteen through his success in the EBU Young Musicians Competition in Copenhagen. Since then, he has appeared as a soloist with leading orchestras worldwide, including the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as nearly all Finnish orchestras. He has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Paavo Järvi, Osmo Vänskä, Klaus Mäkelä, and Leif Segerstam.

A highly respected chamber musician, Jan-Erik Gustafsson is a regular guest at international festivals and has collaborated with artists including Pinchas Zukerman, Leonidas Kavakos, Christian Tetzlaff, Leif Ove Andsnes, and Ivry Gitlis. He has made numerous critically acclaimed recordings for the Ondine label. He serves as Artistic Director of the Korsholm Music Festival (Musikfestspelen Korsholm) and plays a cello made in 1890 by Stefano Scarampella.

Participating in these concerts

Mini concerts

This year, Musikfestspelen is placing special focus on free concerts. On six days in July, we invite you to enjoy live music in the middle

Opening Concert – From the New World

The official opening concert launches the festival with power and energy: first, theme composer Nicky Sohn’s brand-new A Tale of the Bunny and the Tiger,

Idyl

The concert takes the listener through American soundscapes and Romantic highlights – from Edward MacDowell’s New England Idylls and Nicky Sohn’s poetic Cynthia and Deer

Carmen y María de Buenos Aires

In the picturesque Salteriet in Svedjehamn, soprano Angelika Klas and accordionist Sonja Vertainen together with the festival’s string musicians, present a concert devoted to tango.

From East to West

The concert opens with Samuel Barber’s String Quartet, best known for its famous Adagio, followed by clarinetist Christoffer Sundqvist bringing clarinet magic to Nicky Sohn’s

Rodeo & Rhapsody

In this concert, star oboist Nicholas Daniel is truly given space to shine. The evening opens with Copland’s rhythmic Buckaroo Holiday from the ballet Rodeo,

Woodwinds on Wheels

What should one play at a car museum? Classics, of course! In this unconventional concert, audiences are treated to true chamber music gems performed by

Rodeo & Rhapsody

In this concert, star oboist Nicholas Daniel is truly given space to shine. The evening opens with Copland’s rhythmic Buckaroo Holiday from the ballet Rodeo,

Österbotten klingar

Six classical music organizers from Ostrobothnia come together in Helsinki to present the concert “Österbotten klingar” at Temppeliaukio Church. The concert celebrates the fifth anniversary

Free entry