Riitta Hammarberg

I started playing the violin at the age of four in Oulu, under the guidance of pedagogue Tatjana Pogotsieva. My other teachers have included Olavi Ahola, Marja-Leena Toropainen, and Pertti Sutinen. At music camps, I’ve studied with, among others, Jorma Rahkonen, Paavo Pohjola, Jacques Kantorow, and Maria Vermes. My twin sister Helena took up the cello—our father was a professional cellist. Music runs strongly in our family; for example, my uncle used to play the flute in the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

I came to Turku by chance—my original plan was to attend an audition in Lahti, but I had to skip it due to the flu. Luckily, Turku’s audition happened to take place in spring 1985. I got in—and stayed. Alongside my orchestral work, I teach violin to both children and adults. My sister and I have a tradition of performing lighter music, such as ABBA, in Naantali.

During practice, I play music across genres—from folk to pop. In classical music, symphonic works are my absolute favorite. It’s an incredible feeling to sit in the middle of the orchestra on the second violin side and feel the music fill the concert hall with full force, surrounding all the musicians.

In my free time, I attend dog shows and go for walks with my dogs—at home, I’m entertained by my Jack Russell terriers, Raita and Ruutu.

My favorite composer is Sibelius—he has written absolute music that truly speaks to the ear. I have absolute pitch; perhaps that’s why.