Professor emerita Kaija Saarikettu‘s career began with winning the Kuopio Violin Competition and reaching the final of the Jean Sibelius Competition. In addition to her long teaching career (Professor of Violin Music at the Sibelius Academy 1995-2021), she has performed extensively throughout the world.
Her interest in the music of our time and her collaboration with composers has resulted in a large number of works written for her. She has premiered and recorded music by Einar Englund, Kimmo Hakola, Paavo Heininen, Eero Hämeenniemi, Juha T. Koskinen, Jyrki Linjama, Pehr- Henrik Nordgren and Einojuhani Rautavaara.
Since then, Saarikettu has expanded her expertise to include orchestral conducting and composing. She has also served as artistic director of the Kaustinen Chamber Music Week.
Since moving to Siuntio, Saarikettu has become an important part of the Lux Musicae festival, especially in the programme. Her contribution is well illustrated by her premiere of “Juuri kun”, with text by Kai Nieminen, as an extra at the 2023 Festival during Ilmo Ranta’s and Piia Komsi’ concert. The audience were surprised and enraptured!