Entrepreneur’s passion for music led to major donation for Sibelius Academy’s orchestral education

26.3.2025 News

A deep love for music inspired Pekka Räisänen, who built his wealth as an entrepreneur in the IT sector, to donate €300,000 to the Sibelius Academy Foundation at Uniarts Helsinki.

At 79 years old, Räisänen aims to support the education of top musicians and promote the accessibility of music in Finland.

“We have world-class music education and exceptionally talented students. The standard of Finnish orchestras is simply dazzling. I want to set an example of how wealth can be directed toward fostering musical excellence,” Räisänen says.

His donation has established a new fund, now the third-largest within the Sibelius Academy Foundation, ensuring the continued high-level orchestral training of students.

“One of my inspirations has been Kaija Saariaho’s donation to the Musiikkitalo organ project, which helped launch a successful broad-based fundraising campaign. Musiikkitalo, with its magnificent organ and orchestras, already provides children with enchanting musical experiences,” Räisänen adds.

The fund’s initial capital is approximately €300,000, but through annual contributions and a planned bequest, the donation could grow to several million euros in the future.

“We are deeply grateful to Pekka Räisänen for his support of Finnish music education and the future of our strong musical culture,” says Emilie Gardberg, Dean of the Sibelius Academy.

The Sibelius Academy’s orchestral training involves approximately 300 orchestral instrument students across various degree programmes each year.

“With this fund, we can better support our students throughout their studies, provide diverse international learning opportunities and further strengthen our impact as a global leader in higher music education,” Gardberg states.

A lifelong music enthusiast, Räisänen has been involved in building Finnish music institutions, such as the Boston Promenade big band, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Now, he feels the time is right to invest in the future as a donor and pay it forward.

“I want to contribute to ensuring that world-class music remains accessible to everyone in Finland. In today’s world, arts funding is increasingly under threat, making its defense more important than ever,” Räisänen concludes.