From its humble beginnings in 1948 as City of Tikkurila Orchestra, Vantaa Pops has evolved to a sixty-five member professional ensemble.

With Markku Johansson as their principal conductor and music director since 1988, the orchestra has become the sole full-size ensemble in Finland to specialize in popular music and light classics.

Vantaa Pops has to date recorded ten albums starting with their first in 1992. This recording of Finnish popular music is currently sold out. Since then the orchestra has recorded three albums for Finlandia Records. Jealousy from 1997 has been released in seventeen countries and consists of international popular tunes. Blue Dreams in 1999 concentrates on Mr. Johansson's previously unrecorded compositions. Hugely successful 1998 recording Varastetut Helmet with much adored singer Jari Sillanpää has to date sold over fifty thousand copies.

Autumn 2000 saw Vantaa Pops recording tangos under the title Hurmio with international opera star Jorma Hynninen as soloist. Another achievement was the orchestra's 2001 recording of Christmas songs with singer Pentti Hietanen. The album was awarded Christmas Record of the Year title by local radio broadcasters nationwide.

The orchestra released in May 2002 a live album recorded in Tampere in November 2001. The album Muistojen Bulevardi (Boulevard of Memories) features three of the most popular Finnish female singers Eija Kantola, Marita Taavitsainen and Saija Varjus.

In November 2002 Vantaa Pops released their second Christmas album Joulun tähdet (Christmas Stars) with famous guest soloists Sakari Kuosmanen, Jore Marjoranta, Susanna Haavisto and Veeti. The recording was elected as the second best Christmas album of the year.

Illan varjoon himmeään (Into the Twilight) album which is the orchestra’s fourth for Finlandia Records was released September 18, 2003. This major production is soprano Mari Palo’s debut album consisting of new arrangements of old favourites specially commissioned from seven prestigious Finnish musicians: Riku Niemi, Severi Pyysalo, Kirmo Lintinen, Yrjö Hjelt, Arttu Takalo, Esa Helasvuo and Markus Fagerudd. The conductor is Markku Johansson.

Although Vantaa Pops is primarily conducted by its charismatic leader, Markku Johansson, the orchestra has had the pleasure of working with guest conductors such as Atso Almila, Ari Rasilainen, Petri Juutilainen, Riku Niemi, Jari Puhakka and Seppo Hovi.

The orchestra's home is Martinus Hall in Vantaa, but they are regular visitors to the largest cities nationwide. Their concerts are also frequently seen on national television.

Vantaa Pops is also a flexible orchestra for hire and they can be contracted to perform classical music under the name of Vantaa Orchestra.

Contact information

General Manager: Iiris Lehtonen

Martinlaaksontie 36
01620 Vantaa
Finland

Tel +358 (0)9 890 346
Telefax +358 (0)9 839 34 954
email: iiris.lehtonen@vantaapops.com