Satu Vanska, 44, principal violin at the Australian Chamber Orchestra

‘There’s nothing worse than doing something punk and your mum is your biggest fan.’

Satu Vanska performing with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in 2022. Picture: Nic Walker

You were born in Japan, and you are Finnish. Are you also Australian?

I have to confess that I have many home countries. But Australia is the country where I have lived the longest — I have lived half my life in Australia. It would be wrong of me to say I don’t feel in any way Australian. I had never lived in an English-speaking country before, so the way I speak English is full of Australianisms, without me even knowing it.

You and your husband, violinist Richard Tognetti, are on holiday in Japan. Why are you doing an interview?

It’s always a work-ation for us, because you have to keep practising. We are here until we start rehearsals for River — the Australian Chamber Orchestra concert tour with a film by Jennifer Peedom. I will be playing the violin next to Richard, and I am also singing a couple of songs. One of them is a Radiohead song, In Memory of Harry Patch, about one of the last surviving veterans of World War I. I also sing one of Richard’s songs, called Dark Drops Again. It’s fun, to be able to get up and sing. I never had singing lessons.

Richard Tognetti and Satu Vanska at their home in Manly. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

Do you and Richard have a secret handshake?

We live in a former Masonic temple. There is a door with a little latch that opens – that was the secret handshake door. But no, it’s not very much in use. I find it very interesting that our house was owned by female Masons, if you can believe it. Before we moved there, I had no idea that women were Masons also.

Does your mother know about your breakaway rock group, Satu in the Beyond?

My mum has no interest whatsoever in my singing or the band. In a way, I find that quite cool, because there’s nothing worse than doing something punk and your mum is your biggest fan. So I suppose I have achieved something rebellious because my mother doesn’t approve. Satu in the Beyond is like a sub-project of ACO Underground, with original music.

Do you want to be a punk rock star?

Not any more than I am already! I am very content. It’s a really good balance, as a musician, that I have this variety in my life. One thing feeds into another. Violin-playing is so time-consuming, incredibly intricate and hard work – so it’s really nice to have this total contrast, and also being able to mix with different musicians. I hope it will inspire some younger classical musicians to see that it is possible to do different things and think outside the box.

Satu Vanska was born in Japan and is Finnish – but she’s lived in Australia the longest. Picture: John Appleyard

In September you are appearing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Is this a new phase of your career, as a concert soloist?

It’s nice to be asked. If somebody asks you to play Beethoven’s violin concerto, you jump into it and take the challenge. In some ways, it gives me an excuse to practise at home. I am not a person who thinks I should be a soloist, but I really enjoy the variety. I did not join an orchestra in order to be a soloist. I really enjoy the team work and being with other great musicians.

What do you cook at home?

I’m a bit of a cook. I like making fresh salads and light Japanese dishes – I make my own dashi broth and little Japanese fish stews, delicious and healthy. Richard is more of the cook. I’m like the sous chef who prepares the plates and makes the vegetables while Richard does the fancy stuff.

Where is your favourite surf beach?

Johnsons at Noosa. I don’t get to go there as often as I would like. Any surfer would say it’s the most beautiful wave in the world. There is something for everyone – easy waves, good intermediate waves. It’s just the most beautiful place.

Any other confessions to make?

As an old Lutheran, your heart is filled with all kinds of sin, even though you’re not sure what it would be. I’ve learned to laugh at this.

I suppose the Catholics feel a similar kind of thing – you don’t even know what to feel guilty about, you’re just meant to feel guilty to be a good person.

Satu Vanska will be performing in the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s River concert, touring nationally February 1-16.