Finnish conductor Antti Hartikainen takes inspiration from all musical periods and styles. In addition to symphony orchestras, he has conducted several chamber ensembles and all the major Finnish wind orchestras. Hartikainen has performed the essential opera and ballet repertoire as a long-standing associate principal oboist of The Orchestra of the Finnish National Opera.
Hartikainen studied oboe and conducting at the Sibelius Academy, graduating with distinction. His influential professors include Jorma Panula, David Zinman, Johannes Schlaefli, Osmo Vänskä, Hannu Lintu, Petri Komulainen and Atso Almila. Hartikainen has also studied under Maestro Panula at the Panula Academy.
Hartikainen has performed at the highest level since 1996. He has held diverse roles in all the major orchestras in Finland and worked with world-class musicians at the Finnish National Opera, including Esa-Pekka Salonen, Karita Mattila, Matti Salminen, Alan Gilbert, Alberto Zedda and Stefano Ranzani. Hartikainen also trains several oboists and orchestras.
