Panu Saari

Panu Saari has played the cello since the age of seven, and at nine he was admitted to the Sibelius Academy’s youth department to study with Seppo Laamanen. His later teachers included Erkki Rautio, Pauli Heikkinen and Hannu Kiiski. In 1987 he completed his A diploma in the soloist department under Raimo Sariola and Mihail Khomizer. During the summers he attended Tibor de Machula’s courses. In the 1986 national Turku Cello Competition, Saari placed fourth.

Before moving to Tampere, he served as deputy principal cellist of the Finnish National Opera Orchestra. In Tampere he first joined as a section player, later became assistant principal, and in the early 2000s served for several years as co-principal cellist. Saari has given recital concerts in Tampere, Hämeenlinna and Kirkkonummi, and has appeared as a soloist with the Tampere Philharmonic, the Kirkkonummi Chamber Orchestra, Tampere Chamber, and the TASO Symphony Orchestra.

In the summers, Panu enjoys sailing on Lake Näsijärvi with his family and grandchildren, as well as driving and tinkering with his old Citroën 2CV.