Mikko Raasakka is free-lance clarinetist living in Helsinki, Finland. He is especially known for his work with contemporary music. An active collaboration with composers has led him to premier dozens of new works, including six concertos. Since 2009 Mikko has been a member of defunensemble, a Helsinki-based new music group devoted to the performance of electro acoustic music. In addition to all members of the clarinet family Mikko plays the electric wind controller and the liru, an archaic Finnish folk clarinet. He also plays historical clarinets. Mikko is a keen improviser and has participated in music theater productions.

As a clarinet soloist Mikko has performed with many Finnish orchestras including Sinfonia Lahti conducted by Osmo Vänskä. He has appeared as a recitalist/chamber musician in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Romania, Russia, Ukraina, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, USA and Australia. Mikko makes regularly recordings for the Finnish Broadcasting Company. Mikko’s first solo CD Eliangelis (2014) had an enthusiastic feedback from the press.

From 1997 to 2010 Mikko played as the principal clarinet with the Jyväskylä Sinfonia. Before and after that period Mikko has freelanced with all professional orchestras in the Helsinki area.

Mikko Raasakka completed his artistic doctorate at the Sibelius Academy 2005. He is the author of a comprehensive guide on contemporary clarinet technique Exploring the clarinet, published 2010 by Fennica Gehrman.