Pekka Hako

Vesa Pekka Hako
Born February 12, 1957, Helsinki

MA and licentiate (Musicology) 2000, University of Helsinki
Master of Education 2003, University of Helsinki
Further post-graduate sociology studies and communication studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki

CEO at Pekka Hako Productions Ltd. 2011–
Cultural Counselor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs 2007–2010
Finnish Opera Recording Coordinator 2001–2005
Executive Director at the Finnish Music Information Centre 1991–2000
General secretary at the Foundation for the promotion of Finnish music 1991–2000
General secretary at the Society of Finnish Composers’ Sibelius Fund 1991–2000
Producer at the Finnish Music Information Centre 1989–1991
Assistant at the Department of Education 1989, University of Helsinki
Music editor at Edition Pan 1987–1990
Assistant at the Department of Musicology 1987, University of Helsinki
Researcher at the Academy of Finland 1986–1987
Founder and director at Musiikkikoulu Musiikkihuone 1983–1990
Keyboard teacher at Musiikkikoulu Musiikkihuone 1983–1988
Editor at Hellas-piano Ltd. 1982–1986
Secretary at the Leevi Madetoja Committee (Society of Finnish Composers) 1980–1984
Part-time librarian at the University of Helsinki Musicology Department 1980–1981
Manager of the Vantaa Orchestra 1979–1980

Music journalist and writer 1979– (for radio and numerous newspapers and journals)
Author of reference books 1981–
Scriptwriter, director and producer for cultural and artistic television programmes and documentaries 1989–
Scriptwriter and producer for Finnish cultural exhibitions 2006–

Photo: Heikki Tuuli
Written by Pekka Hako (Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta, ed.)
Translated by Tomi Setälä
Revised by Joe McVeigh

A Great Moment from the University of Helsinki

The launch event for my first book on 2 April, 1981, in the listening room of the Musicology Department on the Vironkatu street was a great moment. Laughing next to me is the other editor of the book, Risto Nieminen, with whom I compiled the writings of a group of contemporary composers. The book was titled Ammatti: säveltäjä (‘Occupation: composer’). It was published on the eve of Hesinki Biennale, the first festival dedicated entirely to new music. It was a period of great change in Finnish musical life.

We had brought our idea for the book to several publishers, but at the first meeting were always confronted with the realities of the publishing industry: ‘It’s a fine idea,’ we were told, ‘but the contributors are so unknown there will be no demand for the book.’ We tried to convince them by appealing to the future significance of the participating composers (among them Magnus Lindberg, Kaija Saariaho and Esa-Pekka Salonen).

We self-published our book through the publication series of the Musicology student organisation Synkooppi. For years the book had a place in the musicology curriculum. When we brought the same eleven contributors together 25 years later, a single phone call was all it took to secure a publisher.

This experience has helped me to believe bravely in my own vision, whether it is a book, a documentary, an exhibition, a lecture or the way I conduct myself in a management position.

By Written by Pekka Hako. Edited by Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta. Translated by Tomi Setälä. Revised by Joe McVeigh.

Pekka Hako

Vesa Pekka Hako
Born February 12, 1957, Helsinki

Photo: Heikki Tuuli
Written by Pekka Hako (Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta, ed.)
Translated by Tomi Setälä
Revised by Joe McVeigh