Aapo Häkkinen harpsichord

Aapo Häkkinen began his musical education as a chorister at Helsinki Cathedral. He took up the harpsichord, studying with Elina Mustonen, and Olli Porthan (organ) at the Sibelius-Akatemia (Helsinki). He studied with Bob van Asperen at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and with Pierre Hantaï in Paris, and also enjoyed the generous guidance and encouragement of Gustav Leonhardt. After obtaining his diploma in 1998, he won second prize at the MA Bruges International Competition for harpsichord.

Aapo Häkkinen has appeared as soloist and conductor in most European countries, in Turkey, Israel, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, the USA, Brazil, and Mexico. He has recorded for the labels Aeolus, Alba, Avie, Cantus, Deux-Elles, Naxos, and Ondine. Besides the harpsichord, Aapo Häkkinen regularly performs on the organ, clavichord, and fortepiano.

He teaches at the Sibelius-Akatemia and in international masterclasses. He has been the artistic director of the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra since 2003.