Finnish Baroque Orchestra

New commissions for period instruments, fresh interpretations of old repertoire, courageous and innovative working methods, unique concepts that engage a diverse audience – FiBO offers all this while being an influential force in the Nordic cultural scene.

Founded in 1989, the Finnish Baroque Orchestra has consolidated its position within the Finnish orchestral scene. Since its inception, FiBO has collaborated with some of the foremost soloists and concertmasters of the age and performed a wide-ranging repertoire. The focus is generally on Baroque music, but the orchestra often explores works from other periods too, from early Baroque to early Romanticism. FiBO has also launched a project to perform works by Jean Sibelius using historically accurate instruments for which the composer originally wrote his music. FiBO also plays contemporary music composed for period instruments, and has even commissioned several works itself. The musicians of the core ensemble often perform as chamber musicians. In its largest manifestations the orchestra can be heard playing symphony-orchestra repertoire and in opera performances.

FiBO regularly performs as orchestra in residence at the festive House of Nobility in Helsinki and tours widely across Finland. The orchestra also frequently performs at major Finnish festivals including the Helsinki Festival, the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, and the Turku Music Festival. Abroad FiBO has given performances at concert halls across Germany, Austria, Spain, East Europe and the Nordic countries.

Throughout its history, FiBO has been a forerunner in the Finnish music scene. Beginning life as the Sixth Floor Orchestra, it has played an important role in the emergence of the early-music movement in Northern Europe. As the orchestra has developed, FiBO’s exciting performances, creative programming and innovative projects, have caught the attention of concert organisers both in Finland and abroad. From widening economic support at home to growing popularity abroad, and with awards including Finnish Musical Act of the Year and Disc of the Year (Yle), FiBO continues to forge a unique path as a Baroque orchestra for the 21st century.

FiBO Records, the orchestra’s own label, has released two highly acclaimed recordings: “Moramoramor” (2017), which contains some of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Brandenburg concertos”, Antonio Vivaldi’s concertos and Jukka Tiensuu’s “Mora”, the first Finnish piece composed for a large Baroque orchestra, as well as “Helsinki Window” (2019), which features newly composed works for period instruments by Jukka Tiensuu, Perttu Haapanen and Sarah Nemtsov. In 2021, the label will release a recording of the “Birth of the World” programme, which combines early Baroque music with Finnish folk music. FiBO also records for other labels, including Alpha, Ondine, Alba and BIS. The most recent release (from early 2021) with soloist Ilya Gringolts entitled “Il labirinto armonico” features three violin concertos by Pietro Antonio Locatelli and has received rave reviews as well as international recognition, including Gramophone Editor’s Choice (March 2021) and Diapason d’or (May 2021). These albums can be purchased from FiBO’s online store.