Joonatan Jürgenson


Joonatan Jürgenson is an Estonian classical pianist from Tõravere. He made his debut at the age of 12 after receiving the 1st prize at the "Young Musician" competition in Tallinn, 2004.

Education

Joonatan's first contact with the music world was through singing in the kindergarten, as he successfully took part in local singing competitions. He continued to sing through the first years of school in an ensemble led by Kaie Tohver in Nõo Gymnasium. Joonatan started his piano studies at the age of 7 in Nõo Music School with Katrin Mägi. He soon continued his studies in Heino Eller's Music School in Tartu, where his teacher was the headmaster of the school Kadri Leivategija. In 2016 Joonatan received his Master's degree cum laude from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he studied with professor Ivari Ilja. In 2014-2015 he completed his studies in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with the professor Ronan O'Hora.

Career

As a solo pianist and an active chamber musician, Joonatan Jürgenson has successfully taken part in many national and international competitions as well as festivals. His debut was back in the year 2004, after he received the 1st prize and special prizes for eminent style and Bach's interpretation in an international competition "Young Music" held in Tallinn, Estonia. In 2010 he was given Ago Russak's scholarship for excellent results as a young music student. He has also collaborated with the Grammy award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre during his author concert in St John's Church in Tallinn in 2013. In San Sebastian International Piano Competition in 2013, he received the 2nd prize and the special prize for the best interpretation of the modern basque composer. In addition to concerts in Estonia, he has also performed in Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Portugal, UK and Armenia. He has collaborated with many orchestras and conductors such as Estonian Academy of Music and Theater Symphony Orchestra, Heino Eller's Music School Sinfonietta, Pärnu City Orchestra, Terre del Nord Festival Orchestra and the West Islands' Chamber Orchestra with the conductors Paul Mägi, Edoardo Narbona, Lilyan Kaiv and Toomas Vavilov. Terre del Nord Festival in Turin, Italy, featured Joonatan as an opening performer, where he played a solo recital with northern music in programme. He was also invited back for the next edition in 2016, but that time for the final concert, where he played with the Terre del Nord Festival Orchestra music by Lars-Erik Larsson. In addition to solo career he also teaches masterclasses to young estonian pianists.

Discography

Trio Fantastico

As well as solo pianist, Joonatan is also an active chamber musician. He is a part of a piano trio Trio Fantastico, which consists of Mari-Liis Urb, Kristian Plink and Joonatan Jürgenson. In the 8th International Music Festival in Gyumri, Armenia, in 2016, the trio won the Grand Prix. The ensemble has also given concerts in Poland Wilanów Palace in 2016, participated in the Le Strade d'Europa Music Festival in Italy in Rome, L'Aquila and Nepi and gave three concerts in the Harmos Festival in Porto, Portugal in 2018.

Unions

Joonatan Jürgenson is a member of the and .

Personal

Joonatan Jürgenson is the son of Estonian politician Kalle Jürgenson and philologist Heli Jürgenson and he has 3 brothers: journalist Kristjan Pruul, football player Markus Jürgenson and biologist Martin Jürgenson.

Press

https://www.meiemaa.ee/index.php?content=artiklid&sub=6&artid=75723 - Meie Maa, Anneli Tarkmeel, 4/4/17
https://dea.digar.ee/cgi-bin/dea?a=d&d=noovalla20161001.2.16&e=-------et-25--1--txt-txIN%7ctxTI%7ctxAU%7ctxTA----------- - Nõo Valla Leht, Milvi Pensa, 1/10/16
https://www.ajakirimuusika.ee/single-post/2017/05/02/Maailma-lõpus-on-orkester - Muusika, Anneli Tarkmeel, 2/5/17
https://arhiiv.saartehaal.ee/2017/04/05/kevadkontsert-oli-nime-vaart/ - Saarte Hääl, Erki Aavik, 5/4/17