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Markku
Luolajan-Mikkola

Markku Luolajan-Mikkola received his cello diploma from the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland in 1983. He studied the baroque cello and viol on numerous master classes and with Wieland Kuijken and others in Holland at the Royal Conservatoire in the Hague 1990-1992, graduating in both instruments. He has given solo and chamber recitals in various parts of Europe and in America, with Finnish baroque ensembles, the Phantasm viol consort (London) and the Bryggen Consort (Norway). He also teaches the cello at the West Helsinki Music College.

The Continuo Group of Battalia
The Continuo Group of Battalia has won itself a firm foothold in Finnish musical life. Their focus is the music of the 16th to 18th centuries, with an emphasis on repertoire is fun, catchy and enchanting.

Battalia goes on the principle that the work determines the instruments. The core consists of two violins, a gamba, theorbo and harpsichord/organ, and may be supplemented by a baroque guitar, a harp or a singer. The continuo section also leads a life of its own. Andrew Lawrence-King, Sarah Cunningham, David Cordier and Petteri Salomaa have all fought under the Battalia colours. At home in Finland Battalia is a familiar name on the arena of almost any music festival, but the ensemble has also been on forays to Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia and Denmark.