was created in spring 2000 by the cellist Anssi Karttunen with some of the most talented young finnish cellists. Apart from their talent, the players share their enthusiasm for all the styles and repertoires. Their programs consist of original works and arrangements (by Anssi Karttunen) from Bach to Puumala. The ensemble was originally ment to exist for only a few mounths in the spring 2000, to play a tour in Belgium and France and to record this CD. However, after the enthusiastic reception of their concerts it is not likely to be allowed to retire anytime soon. A further common denominator with these players is that they all have passed through a the West Helsinki Music Institute at some point of their studies.

Lauri Angervo (b. 1971) has studied with Prof. Arto Noras at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and continued his studies in Berlin and in Bremen with Prof. Alexander Baillie. As orchestral and chamber musician, Lauri Angervo has performed widely in Europe and Japan. His a member of Selin Quartet which won the Concertino Praga -competition and which has performed at festivals in Finland and abroad. As a soloist, Lauri Angervo has played with the Helsinki Philharmonic, Avanti! - Ensemble etc. Lauri Angervo is studying Alexander-technique with Dan Armon (Israel) in Berlin.

Tomas Djupsjöbacka (b. 1978) studies in Sibelius Academy with Marko Ylönen. He has participated in master classes by Frans Helmersson, Gary Hoffman, Steven Isserlis, Aleksander Baillie and Ralf Gothóni. Tomas Djupsjöbacka has played as a soloist with Tapiola Sinfonietta, AVANTI!, Turku and Kuopio orchestras. He has also performed in recitals as a chamber musician in several European countries, USA and Japan. In 1998 Tomas Djupsjöbacka won the 2nd Prize ay the Turku cello competition in Finland.

Markus Hohti (s. 1978) studied with Prof. Martti Rousi in Sibelius Academy and is now studying in Basel with Thomas Demenga. Markus Hohti has participated in several master classes (Isserlis, Hoffman, Helmersson, Bylsma) and has studied chamber music with Ralf Gothóni, Ana Chumachenko, Eli Goren, Amadeus -and Chilingirian Quortet. In 1998 Markus Hohti won the 4th prize at the Turku cello competition. He has performed widely in Europe and in America.

Louna Hosia (b. 1981) started her musical education in 1989 at the West-Helsinki Music Institute; first with Eleonora Joffe and from 1996 with Markku Luolajan-Mikkola. She is now studying baroque cello and in summer of 2000 she participated in a master class of Laurence Dreyfus in Norway. Louna Hosia has participated also in master classes of Jevgeni Xavirief, Jan-Erik Gustafsson and Alexander Baillie. She has performed in her home country and abroad in Germany, South Africa, Belgium and France.

Roi Ruottinen (b. 1971) began cello lessons at age of 4 at the Vantaa music institute. 1990-1994 he studied in Sibelius Academy with Martti Rousi and received his diploma in 1994 with excellent marks. He continued his studies in Royal Danish conservatory with Torleif Thedéen. His master classes include Thomas Geringas, Frans Helmerson and Aldo Parisot. Roi Ruottinen won the 1st prize in Turku cello competition in 1994, and also in Uussoitto competition in 1999. Concerts as a soloist with Helsinki Philharmonic, Turku, Oulu, Kotka, Pietarsaari, Orquesta Sinfonica de Colombia etc. Roi Ruottinen has performed in many European countries and in South-America.
Roi Ruottinen


Taneli Turunen (b. 1975) received his diploma from Sibelius Academy in 1999, as a student of Martti Rousi. From 1997 he has studied in Köln with Frans Helmersson. Taneli Turunen has performed with own recitals and as a chamber musician in Finland, Belgium, France and Germany. He won the 4th prize in the Paulo cello competition in 1999 in Helsinki.

Timo-Veikko Valve (b. 1982) studies at the Youth Department of the Sibelius Academy. His teachers have been Heikki Rautasalo and Marko Ylönen. Timo-Veikko Valve has participated in several master classes (Natalia Gutman, Gary Hoffman, Steven Isserlis, Frans Helmerson, Anssi Karttunen). He has also studied chamber music with Vladimir Mendelssohn and Vjatseslav Novikov. Timo-Veikko has performed with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Vox Artis Chamber Orchestra, and The Helsinki Strings Chamber Orchestra. He has also appeared both as a soloist and a chamber musician in France, Irland, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Norway etc. Awards in recent years include the 1st Prize in the 1998 Finnish Juvenalia Chamber Music Competition and the 2nd Prize in the 10. Eurovision Grand Prix for Young Musicians in June 2000. Timo-Veikko Valve will play with Helsinki Philharmonic, Kokkola and Lappeenranta orchestras in 2001.

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