Discography
Crusell
Hier ist es Crusell, der sich als am Puls der Zeit komponierend erweist. Und das Helsinki Baroque Orchestra macht dies sehr eindrucksvoll nachhörbar.
Guido Krawinkel, Klassik Heute, 5.10.2023
Monteverdi
DVD & Blu-ray
An extraordinary work (…) Once again Tero Saarinen and his dancers and associates have given me an experience like no other. I love dance that expands the boundaries of my thinking.
Michelle Potter, 25.3.2021
Bach IV
Un point final (…) à une aventure qui aura marqué la discographie récente des concertos.
Jean-Christophe Pucek, Diapason, 12/2020 (DIAPASON D’OR)
Beethoven
This is not a piece recorded often, certainly not in full. Häkkinen’s capturing of the drama and orchestral colors matches Herbert von Karajan’s 1961 version with the Berlin Philharmonic, although obviously with a rather more delicate period-appropriate palette.
Leighton Jones, The Classic Review, 22.8.2019
Schumann – Bach
From soprano Carolyn Sampson’s floating opening solo to the rousing final chorus, “Und lösch’ der Zwietracht Glimmen aus,” choir, soloists, and orchestra do the piece proud.
Jonathan Blumhofer, The Arts Fuse, 15.7.2018
Bach III
Comme cela respire large et sonne profond ! Timbre, places d’archets, forme de notes, tout un vocabulaire du jeu baroque est exploité avec un souci d’expressivité permanent.
Philippe Ramin, Diapason, 1/2018 (DIAPASON D’OR)
Kraus
If the overture to Gustav III’s birthday ode does not energise you, or you remain unmoved by the dramatic opening to the cantata for the same monarch’s funeral, then there is no hope. Sorry! I hope this will not be the last Kraus we hear from the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra.
Brian Clark, Early Music Review, 10/2014
Bach II
One of the true delights is the beautiful phrasing of the upper strings – Bach’s part-writing rarely gets this kind of exposure.
Brian Clark, Early Music Review, 10/2013
Bach I
These performances are enjoyable, even thrilling. In the rip-roaring Italian Concerto that rounds off the disc (…) the harpsichord achieves almost organ-like fullness. Wow!
Lindsay Kemp, Gramophone, 3/2013
Dussek
Häkkinen (…) inspires his musicians into a softly atmospheric evocation of pastoral spaciousness interspersed with shadows of gentle agitation. Excellent.
Nalen Anthoni, Gramophone Awards, 2012
Agrell
The performances are absolutely first-rate, and they are backed by some serious scholarship. The playing is by turns vigorous and tender, the phrases are lovingly shaped and the rhythm is subtly flexible. This is definitely my record of the month: go out and buy it at once!
Richard Maunder, Early Music Review, 10/2010
Richter II
Aapo Häkkinen leads sparkling performances from the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra. Tempos are sensibly chosen, and balance good between the sectional divisions. There’s a genuine sense of theater about some of this.
Barry Brenesal, Fanfare, 11/2009
Richter I
Under Aapo Häkkinen, the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra demonstrates that it is the equal of the finest European period-instrument bands.
Stephen Pettitt, The Sunday Times, 5.8.2007
Monteverdi
The orchestra (…) is visionary, impassioned and grieving in turns. This revelatory album will please Monteverdi fans as well as the general music lover.
Roger Tellart, Goldberg, 2/2005