2013-02-07 12:33:20 -

The Pohjola Bank Art Foundation's most valuable musical instrument, a
Stradivarius violin from 1702 known as the "Irish", will return to Réka
Szilvay's use for two years. For the first time in history, all of the
Foundation's nine highly-valued instruments could be applied for by young
musicians simultaneously.

Réka Szilvay has played the Stradivarius before. In 2009, she returned the
violin in the middle of the loan period after having suffered a hand injury. She
is now fully recovered and has returned to the concert stage. Szilvay will also
continue in her post as Professor of Violin Music at the Sibelius Academy.

- It is wonderful that after a several years' break, Réka Szilvay will once
again shine at concerts with the Stradivarius, says Tuire Jäkkö, Executive
Officer of the Art   Foundation.

The Pohjola Bank Art Foundation has been supporting music as a performing art
since 1987 by lending its highly-valued instruments to young and talented
musicians. On the Art Foundation's 25th anniversary, all of its nine instruments
were made available for application. The collection includes five violins, two
violas and two cellos.

The Foundation's instruments give young people the opportunity to advance their
career with the help of a unique instrument. Many of the musicians who were
granted an instrument are currently preparing for competitions.

The youngest of the musicians is Kasmir Uusitupa, aged 17, who began learning to
play the violin when he was only three years old. He was granted use of the Art
Foundation's Pierre & Hippolyte Silvestre violin from 1843. Three of the
instruments will be lent to members of the Kamus Quartet, which focuses on
chamber music. Of the members of this 10-year-old quartet, Terhi Paldanius,
Jukka Untamala and Jussi Tuhkanen will now be performing with the Pohjola Bank
Art Foundation's instruments.

The Foundation's instruments and their new holders are as follows:

Antonio Stradivari violin, the "Irish", 1702: Réka Szilvay
Carlo Antonio Testore violin, 1730: Jukka Untamala
Charles Gaillard violin, 1867: Eeva Oksala (for the second time)
Pierre & Hippolyte Silvestre violin, 1843: Kasmir Uusitupa
Ferdinandus Gagliano violin, 1767: Terhi Paldanius
Leonhard Maussiell viola, 1722: Sauli Kulmala (for the second time)
Joannes Florenus Guidantus viola, 1737: Jussi Tuhkanen
Giovanni Grancino cello, 1698: Joona Pulkkinen
Nicolas Lupot cello, 1795: Lauri Kankkunen


For further information, please contact:
Tuire Jäkkö, Executive Officer, Pohjola Bank Art Foundation, tel.
+358 10 252 2202 or tuire.jakko@op.fi


OP-Pohjola Group is Finland's leading financial services group providing a
unique range of banking, investment and insurance services. The Group's mission
is to promote the sustainable prosperity, well-being and security of its owner-
members, customers and operating regions through its local presence. Its
objective is to offer the best and most versatile package of loyal customer
benefits on the market. OP-Pohjola Group consists of some 200 member cooperative
banks and the Group's central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative,
with its subsidiaries and closely-related companies, the largest of which is the
listed company Pohjola Bank plc.







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Source: Pohjola Pankki Oyj via Thomson Reuters ONE
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