Pianist Joonas Ahonen has been appointed as the new artistic director of the Avant Chamber Orchestra. The contract is for three years with an option for two additional years. Ahonen will take up his post in 2024 at the beginning of September. The first concert planned by him will be performed already on 5 November 2024 in the Temppeliaukio Church.
Joonas Ahonen studied at the Sibelius Academy under Tuija Hakkila and Liisa Pohjola. He was a member of the Klangforum Wien soloist ensemble for 12 years, which focuses on contemporary music. In 2023, Ahonen was appointed professor of piano at the Cologne University of Music and Dance. Performing as a soloist around the world, Ahonen is also an accomplished chamber musician, with established collaborations with violinists Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Pekka Kuusisto.
Joonas Ahonen knows Avant well. He has played in several chamber orchestra concerts both as a member of the ensemble and as a soloist. “Without the experience and versatile learning I gained at Avant, I would hardly have chosen to join Klangforum Wien. I am very grateful to Avant for this,” says Ahonen.
Joonas Ahonen sees his work in the field of new music as a social statement from the outset. “The society around us is so focused on economic discourse that it is personally important and refreshing for me to work for new music. My passion for the art form and promoting its accessibility takes precedence over the pursuit of financial gain. A key part of Avant’s social dimension is also the exceptional open-mindedness of its programming policy. I see it radiating a message of openness and open-mindedness, and a message of the importance of listening.”
The new artistic director’s contract includes not only planning but also solo performances together with Avant. “The job title could almost as well be Artistic Partner: for those concerts where the planning responsibility lies with others, my role is consultative. I value interactivity and look forward to working with the brilliant musicians at Avant.”
Ahonen, who settled in Finland in the spring, divides his time between Helsinki and Cologne. “The job at Avant fits this pattern very well.”
The previous artistic director of Avant Chamber Orchestra was clarinetist Kari Kriikku, who held the post for 25 years. Kriikku’s long and successful tenure came to an end when Avant had to adjust its finances and give up its full-time Artistic Director. Kriikku will continue as sound director of Avanti’s clarinet section.
