BIOGRAPHY
In 2016 Joonatan Jürgenson graduated cum laude with a Master's degree in Piano from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, having studied with the acclaimed piano professor Ivari Ilja. In 2014 he was an exchange student at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he studied with professor Ronan O'Hora, the renowned concert pianist.
In the year 2023, on the 19th of May, Joonatan Jürgenson released a new album Prana with music from 12 young Baltic composers, who are born between 1975 and 1991.
In 2022 Joonatan released a single with Prélude from Spanish-French composer Félix Ibarrondo. He also received a special prize for performing it in 2013 in San Sebastian Piano Competition.
In addition to that, he released a chamber music album with saxophonist Rene Laur, which features some of the most important estonian works for the saxophone from composers Eduard Tubin and Hillar Kareva (Pildid lapsepõlvest, JJ 2021). The duo commissioned a 3 part piece, that named the album as well, from a young estonian composer Jonas Tarm, who resides in the USA, New York. According to Tiiu Sisask from the magazine Muusika (december 2021): "The duo's ensemble on the new album is detailed, multilayered and truly enjoyable.".
On the 13th of March 2020, Joonatan released his debut solo album with Robert Schumann's Fantasy Pieces Op. 12 and Pyotr Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a. In the magazine Muusika (november 2020), Jorma Toots wrote: "The music on the CD has been recorded at a high professional level, representing intelligent style free from excessive elements.".
In February 2015 the Terre del Nord Festival in Turin featured Joonatan for the opening concert where he performed Nordic music by Edvard Grieg, Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnnson and Eduard Tubin. He was invited back in 2016 to perform Lars-Erik Larsson's Concertino for Piano and String Orchestra at the final concert of the festival with the conductor Eduardo Narbona.
In 2013 he received the 2nd prize and a special prize for the best interpretation of a modern Basque composer’s piece in the International Piano Competition in San Sebastian, Spain.
Joonatan has collaborated with the Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Heino Eller's Music School Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra, Terre del Nord Festival Orchestra and the Läänesaarte Chamber Orchestra with conductors Paul Mägi, Lilyan Kaiv, Toomas Vavilov and Edoardo Narbona. Joonatan Jürgenson has performed in UK, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Portugal and Armenia. During the season 2019-2020 Joonatan performed for the first time in the USA in New York, where he gave a solo concert in the Estonian House.
In addition to solo performances Joonatan is also an active chamber musician, working with various ensembles from Estonia and abroad. In 2016 his trio with Mari-Liis Urb and Kristian Plink received the Grand Prix at the VIII International Music Festival in Gyumri, Armenia. They also performed in Warsaw during the Annual Meeting of the European Chamber Music Teachers' Association. The trio was invited to give three performances in Roma, L'Aquila and Nepi in Italy in December 2016. The trio gave 3 concerts in Harmos festival in Porto (Portugal) in 2018. During the season 2019-2020 the trio performed in 3 concerts in Estonia (Põlva, Tartu, Tallinn).
With saxophonists Rene Laur (Estonia) and Aigars Raumanis (Latvia) they were invited to give opening concerts for the international Mürtsub pill festival as well as Tamme festival in Estonia during summer 2022.
He has also collaborated with the Grammy award-winning composer Eric Whitacre in connection to the concert the composer gave in Estonia in 2013.
In 2010 he received Ago Russak's scholarship for outstanding musical achievements as a young music student while studying at Heino Eller's Music School in Tartu with Kadri Leivategija. He started his studies in Piano in Nõo Music School with Katrin Mägi, having studied some singing before with Aime Tootsi and Kaie Tohver.
As a young pianist Joonatan often excelled in national and international piano competitions as well as international music festivals taking place in Estonia, such as “Klaver” (Piano) and “Tulevikumuusikud” (Musicians of the Future).
He made his national debut in the Estonia concert hall in 2004 at the age of 12, performing Haydn with Pärnu City Orchestra under the baton of Toomas Vavilov after receiving the 1st prize as well as special prizes for eminent style and for the interpretation of Bach in the International Young Musician’s Competition in Tallinn, Estonia. The same year he performed at the Opening Concert of Eller Music College's festival "Soundscapes. Japan" in Tartu Vanemuine Concert Hall, performing Risto Laur's "The Girl and the Dragon" with the Eller Sinfonietta under the baton of Lilyan Kaiv.
Joonatan Jürgenson has participated in many masterclasses taught by Evgeni Mikhailov, Fali Pavri, Vanessa Latarche, Arbo Valdma, Aaron Shorr, Teppo Koivisto and others. Joonatan also gives masterclasses to young Estonian pianists.
Joonatan Jürgenson is a member of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians as well as Estonian Piano Teachers' Society.