Meet Pekka Kuusisto

This week Britten Sinfonia welcomes back the violinist Pekka Kuusisto as rehearsals begin for the Concentric Paths tour with composer, pianist and conductor Thomas Adès. Pekka has worked with Britten Sinfonia a number of times before but ahead of this tour we asked him a few questions to help us all get to know him better! 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Playing in the forest surrounding Sibelius' home, dressed up as a spruce.

When are you happiest?

At about 3 p.m. on most days.

What is your greatest fear?

The end of the world, I guess.

What is your earliest musical memory?

Listening to Rasputin by Boney M.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?

Barack Obama. He is facing a giant political machine that gets a lot of its fuel from ignorance - and still manages to send a message that it's useful to actually know stuff.

If you were an animal what would you be?

A squid. A giant one. Imagine the ease of playing Paganini things with all those tentacles.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Singing Coldplay tunes while accompanying myself with arpeggiator synths.

How do you relax away from the concert platform?

For instance by singing Coldplay tunes while accompanying myself with arpeggiator synths.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Caramelising the top of Crème Brûlée with a blowtorch and getting it right the first time.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Don't eat yellow snow. 

Pekka performs Thomas Adès Concerto for Violin (Concentric Paths) on tour with Britten Sinfonia this month. Click here for more details.

Dijon Opéra de Dijon Saturday 11 February 8pm Book tickets
Cambridge West Road Concert Hall Monday 20 February 7.30pm Book tickets
New York Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall Wednesday 22 February 7.30pm Book tickets
Norwich Norwich Theatre Royal Saturday 25 February 7.30pm Book tickets
London Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall Monday 27 February 7.30pm Book tickets
Dublin National Concert Hall Tuesday 28 February 8pm Book tickets