Timo Korhonen (born 6 November 1964)^[1] is a Finnish classical guitarist and is one of the most distinguished classical guitarists in his generation.

Short Biography

Korhonen gave his debut at 14 in his hometown Rautalampi, Finland.^[2] His international career started in 1982 after winning the ARD Music Competition in Munich, Germany.^[3] Since 1989 Korhonen has been member of distinguished contemporary music group TOIMII-ensemble. Korhonen has performed over thirty countries and premiered over forty compositions.^[4] Korhonen has recorded fifteen albums for Ondine label including his own arrangements of works Solo Violin by Johann Sebastian Bach and Complete recording of Works for Guitar by Heitor Villa-Lobos. Korhonen's recordings have acclaimed several awards and honors.

Pieces written for and dedicated to Timo Korhonen

Kimmo Hakola 1958-: Guitar Concerto, 2008; Leonardo Etudes, Homage á Villa-Lobos, 2007–2008

Toshio Hosokawa 1955-: Voyage IX, "Awakening" for guitar and strings with percussion, 2007

Magnus Lindberg 1958-: Mano a mano for solo guitar, 2004

Toshio Hosokawa 1955-: Serenade for solo guitar, 2003

Herman Rechberger 1947-: Concierto Floral for guitar and orchestra, 1997

Olli Kortekangas 1955-: Arabesken der Nacht for guitar and chamber orchestra, 1995

Leo Brouwer 1939-: Concerto of Helsinki for guitar and orchestra, 1991–1992

Usko Meriläinen 1930-2004: Konsertto kitaralle ja orkesterille, 1991

Jouni Kaipainen 1956-: Tenebrae for solo guitar op 39, 1991

Olli Koskelin 1955-: Far and near for solo guitar, 1990; Tutte le Corde for guitar and tape, 1988–1989

Tauno Marttinen 1912-2008: Harlekiini for violin and guitar, 1986

Compositions written for and dedicated to Timo Korhonen as member of the TOIMII-ensemble

Oliver Knussen 1952-2018: Rough Cut for Toimii, 1996

Magnus Lindberg 1958-: Kiri for clarinet, guitar, cello, percussion, and electronics, 1993; Decorrente for clarinet, cello, guitar, percussion and piano, 1992

Arthur Sauer: Joukahainen's Defeat, 1993

Peter Bengtson 1961-: Festspielmusik II: Gemalte Leiche, 1992

Riku Niemi 1967-: Magnus meets Monk, 1991

Recordings

• Johann Sebastian Bach: Partitas for Solo Violin - arranged for guitar by Timo Korhonen, Ondine ODE 1164-2, 2010
• Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonatas for Solo Violin - arranged for guitar by Timo Korhonen, Ondine ODE 1128-2, 2009
• Magnus Lindberg: Mano a mano 2004; Toru Takemitsu: In The Woods, 1995, Three pieces for Guitar; Hans-Werner Henze: The 1st Sonata on Shakespearean characters for guitar, 1975–76. Ondine ODE 1091-2, 2007
• Heitor Villa-Lobos: Etudes pour la Guitarre, käsikirjoitusversio vuodelta 1928!; Leo Brouwer: Estudios Sencillos 1-20. Ondine ODE 1028-2, 2004
• Ludwig van Beethoven / Francisco Tárrega: "Claro de Luna" (Adagio sostenuto de la Sonata Op. 27 No. 2); Menuet (Septet, Op. 20); Fragmento de la 7a Sinfonía (Allegretto, Op. 92); Marcha fúnebre de la Sonata No. 12 (Op. 26); Scherzo de la Sonata No. 2, Op. 2; Adagio cantabile (Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 ); Tema (Tema con variazioni Op. 20 ); Variación del Septimino (Tema con variazioni, Op. 20); Andante de la Sonata No. 9 ( Op. 47, " Kreutzer " ); Menuet (No. 3, 6 Minuets, WoO 10); Largo con gran espressione ( Sonata No. 4, Op. 7); Richard Wagner / Francisco Tárrega: Tannhäuser Fragmento de la Sinfonía; Marcha de Tannhäuser; Francisco Tárrega / Giuseppe Verdi: Fantasia sobre motivos "La Traviata". Ondine ODE 1013-2, 2003
• Leo Brouwer: Concerto of Helsinki kitaralle ja orkesterille, omistettu Timo Korhoselle; Isaac Albéniz / Leo Brouwer: Suite Ibéria kitaralle ja orkesterille; Lennon–McCartney / Leo Brouwer: From Yesterday to Penny Lane, Seven Songs after Beatles kitaralle ja jousille. Ondine ODE 979-2, 2002
• Kaija Saariaho: "Grammar of Dreams", Adjö for soprano, flute and guitar; Caliban's Dream for baritone, clarinet, mandolin, guitar, harp and doublebass; Die Aussicht for sopranbo, flute, guitar, viola and cello; Anu Komsi, Timo Korhonen and AVANTI!, Ondine ODE 958-2, 2000
• Fryderyk Chopin arr. Francisco Tárrega: Nocturne op. 32/1, Nocturne op. 9/2, Prélude op. 28/7, Prélude op. 28/20, Prélude op.28/15, Mazurka op.33/1, Mazurka op. 24/3, Mazurka op. 33/4, Waltz op.34/2. Miguel Llobet: 10 katalonialaista kansanlaulua. Ondine ODE 903-2, 1997
• Heitor Villa-Lobos: Complete Works for Guitar Vol. 2) Préludes, Sextuor Mystique, Distribuiçao de Flores, Modinha, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, Suite Populaire Bresiliénne, Chôros No. 1. with chamber ensemble. Ondine ODE 838-2, 1996
• Heitor Villa-Lobos: Complete Works for Guitar Vol. 1) Introduction aux Chôros for guitar and orchestra, Concerto for guitar and orchestra,12 Etudés. Finnish RSO, Sakari Oramo. Ondine ODE 837-2, 1995
• Fernando Sor: Fantaisie op. 30, Etudes op. 35 II book, Etude op. 31 nr. 23, Fantaisie Villageoise op. 52, Fantaisie Elegiaque op. 59. Ondine ODE 816-2, 1994
• Folk Songs from Spain, Finland and China. Dilbér, soprano and Korhonen, guitar. Ondine ODE 812-2, 1993
• Manuel Ponce: Sonatina Meridional, Théme, Varié et Finale, Sonata No. 3, Variations sur "Folia d'España" et Fugue. Ondine ODE 770-2, 1992
• Francisco Tárrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra, Capricho Arábe: Federico Moreno Torroba: Suite Castellana, Torija, Sonatina: Isaac Albéniz: Córdoba, Capricho Catalan, Sevilla. Ondine ODE 752-2, 1990
• Leo Brouwer: La Espiral Eterna, Tarantos, Paisaje Cubano con Campanas; Franco Donatoni: Algo, due pezzi per chitarra; Olli Koskelin: Tutte le Corde for guitar and tape; Alberto Ginastera: Sonata op. 47. Ondine ODE 730-2, 1989
• En Sång om Gemenskap, with Carola Häggkvist, voice; live recording from Swedish Television Channel 1 Show Carola så in i Norden, SVT-7402, 1984

Awards and recognitions

• 2009 KlassikHeute "10"
• 2007 Gramophone Recommends
• 2004 KlassikHeute "10"
• 2003 KlassikHeute "10"
• 2003 Cannes Classical Award
• 2002 record of the month April, Classicstoday.com
• 2000 The Finnish Broadcasting Corporation, Record of the Year 2000
• 1990 The Finnish Broadcasting Corporation, Record of the Year 1990
• 1988 Léonie Sonning-Stipendium 1988
• 1986 III-Prize, The Personal Special Prize of the President of the Leo Brouwer and Special Prize for the Best Performance of Latin-American Composition at Havana International Guitar Competition
• 1983 City of Rautalampi Arts Awards 1983
• 1982 The winner (II Prize, no 1st Prize given) at the ARD Music Competition in Munich