Arto Noras (born 1942 in Turku, Finland ) is a Grand Old Master of his instrument. He is one amongst the most outstanding internationally acknowledged cellists of his generation.
At the age of 6 Arto Noras started his studies with Professor Yrjö Selin at the prestigious Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland. After completing his studies in Helsinki, he studied with Professor Paul Tortelier at the Paris Conservatoire, where he gained the Premier Prix diploma in 1964. Two years later, in 1966, he was awarded the second prize in the International Tchaikovsky Cello Competition in Moscow, which immediately opened his way to the most important concert halls in Europa as well as in North and South America and later also in Asia.
In 1970 Arto Noras was appointed Professor of cello at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he served as Professor for 40 years. After this he was invited to serve as a Professor of cello at the Hochschule für Musik in Hamburg, Germany. He has also given the master classes all over the world and worked as a member of the juries in most prestigious international cello competitions.
Arto Noras founded the Naantali Music Festival in 1980 and has been its Artistic Director over 40 years. In 1991 he founded the International Paulo Cello Competition, and is its Artistic Director. He was also a founding member of the Sibelius Academy Quartet. Arto Noras’ repertoire covers all the principal works composed for cello, including those by contemporary composers. He has performed as soloist with the leading orchestras and conductors around the world. As a chamber musician he has performed with many most prominent musicians of our time. He has have a close collaboration with many composers such as Maestros Krzysztof Penderecki, Aulis Sallinen and Jeajoon Ryu. Arto Noras has performed Maestro Krzysztof Penderecki’s works under his baton on four different continents.
Arto Noras has recorded extensively, including several works dedicated to him.