The Finnish guitarist, Jukka Savijoki, studied the guitar at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, with Ivan Putilin, and privately with J.W. Duarte in London and Oscar Chiglia in Italy. In 1976 he won 2nd Prize at the International Guitar Competition at Alessandria, Italy.
Ihn addition to Finland, Jukka Savijoki has given concerts in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and England. He has featured as soloist with most of the Finnish orchestras, including the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Helsinki Philharmonic. His recordings have been broadcast in many European countries. His London debut at the Wigmore Hall in December 1977 was given an enthusiastic reception and The Times wrote of: "Jukka Savijoki, a young Finnish artist of the kind able to increase respect for this much maligned instrument. He is a musician to his fingertips, serious and dedicated to his cause, and supported by an unusually well-disciplined technique". During the same visit he made a recording for the BBC series, "The Classical Guitar". His debut was followed by another recital at the Wigmore Hall and other concerts in England and on the continent.
Jukka Savijoki teaches the guitar at the Sibelius Academy and his interest in contemporary music has resulted in new pieces being written specially for him by Paavo Heininen, Leif Segerstam and Erik Bergman. |