16.07.2024

In memoriam

Dr. Lauri Pulakka, the principal cellist and programme coordinator of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at his home in Kokkola’s Kirkonmäki. He was 62 years old, born in Haapavesi on May 4, 1962.

Lauri Pulakka was born as the youngest of four children to Päivi and Pentti Pulakka. In their family, literature and music were highly valued, and the active musical pursuits of his older brothers also influenced the youngest sibling, Lauri, who began studying the cello under Jouko Paavola at the Ostrobothnian Music Institute. In 1972 and at the same institution, violin teacher Juha Kangas founded a chamber orchestra (today known as the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra), which Lauri joined during the orchestra's first year of operation.

Starting goal-oriented orchestral playing at a young age had lifelong consequences for Pulakka: the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra became not only a nurturing ground for his musicianship, but also his life's mission. After completing his master's studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Lauri returned to his hometown's orchestra as its principal cellist. Later, his role in the orchestra expanded to include programme coordination.

Pulakka furthered his studies in the United Kingdom and France, developing his expertise particularly in Baroque music performance practices. His broad musicianship was not confined to orchestral playing; he was also known as an active pedagogue, chamber musician, as well as a skilled Baroque cellist and viola da gamba player. Pulakka's musicianship was marked by a continuous desire to improve as a player, and a thirst for knowledge, evidenced by his doctoral degree from the Sibelius Academy. He approached music and his work with passion, striving to practice the cello daily even during his illness.

Lauri Pulakka's musical legacy will live on not only in our many musical memories but also in recordings, arrangements, musical writings, his work as a recording producer, and the musical knowledge and stylistic understanding he imparted to his students and fellow musicians. Throughout his career, Pulakka taught cello, Baroque cello, viola da gamba, and music history at institutions including the Sibelius Academy, the Central Ostrobothnia Conservatory, and the Novia and Centria Universities of Applied Sciences. Many music students, whose theses he supervised, benefited from his gentle and expert guidance. Lauri left an unforgettable mark on the music life of his beloved hometown of Kokkola.

Lauri is mourned by his spouse Maria and their three daughters and their spouses, his brothers, and a wide circle of relatives, friends, and musician colleagues. Those of us who were within his sphere of influence had the privilege of enjoying Lauri's exceptionally broad education, optimistic outlook on life, and warm approach to people. Lauri enjoyed the arts in various forms, as well as good food and drink, wordplay, wit, and old movies. He was an open-minded enthusiast and a human databank of knowledge and education, to whom one could turn for advice on any matter. We hold great respect and gratitude for Lauri's life and work.

Marjukka Puutio
(translation Jarkko Hartikainen)

The author is a colleague, friend, and former cello student of Lauri Pulakka.