One of the most outstanding cellists in the world today, Arto Noras studied under Yrjö Selin at the Sibelius Academy and with Paul Tortelier in Paris. He became known internationally after his success in the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1966.
Arto Noras has performed with major orchestras and conductors the world over and commands practically the entire cello repertoire. He has also distinguished himself in chamber repertoire with some of the most highly-acclaimed musicians.
He has a fairly extensive list of recordings to his name, including several works written specially for him. Recently he has recorded in collaboration with Krzysztof Penderecki and others. Arto Noras's long career as Professor of Cello at the Sibelius Academy, his masterclasses the world over and his role as a jury member in international cello competitions have contributed to the advancement of cello music both in Finland and worldwide.
He is the founder and Artistic Director of the Naantali Music Festival and the International Paulo Cello Competition.
As a tirelessly curious seeker of something new, he has also commissioned several works from composers. At the Naantali Music Festival, Aulis Sallinen's Don Juanquixote's night dances and Barabbas dialogues, Leif Segerstam's sixth cello concerto and Erik Bergman's cello concerto have premiered.