Saxophonist Joonatan Rautiola is one of today’s most distinguished Finnish soloists, epitomizing the new generation of Nordic classical wind players. His exceptional talent and versatile career have made him a sought-after performer and educator around the world.
Joonatan Rautiola’s musical journey began at the Sibelius Academy under the tutelage of Pekka Savijoki. He later studied in Paris with Nicolas Prost and Christian Wirth. In 2010, he made history as the first Nordic saxophonist to graduate from Claude Delangle’s saxophone class at the Paris Conservatory. Alongside his saxophone studies, Rautiola received valuable guidance from renowned clarinetist Paul Meyer and oboist Maurice Bourgue.
As a soloist, Rautiola has collaborated with esteemed orchestras such as the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Düsseldorfer Symfoniker, and Het Kamerorkest Brugge, as well as numerous professional Nordic wind orchestras. His captivating recitals have taken him to stages in London, Dublin, Tokyo, St. Petersburg, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.
A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Joonatan Rautiola has premiered works by notable composers like Patrick Marcland, Tapio Tuomela, Olli Virtaperko, Tuomas Turriago, Gerald Shapiro, Antonin Servière, and Christian Lauba. He has also received tutelage from distinguished figures such as Pierre Boulez and Betsy Jolas. Memorable highlights from his career include premiering Guillaume Connesson’s saxophone concerto with the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra and Olli Virtaperko’s saxophone concerto with TampereRaw.
Joonatan Rautiola’s impressive accolades include being the only wind instrumentalist to win the Finnish National Radio’s Young Soloists’ Competition. He has also claimed first prizes at the Nordic Wind Soloists’ Competition and the Nova Gorica International Saxophone Competition, in addition to prizes at the International Aeolus Competition for Wind Instruments and the International Adolphe Sax Saxophone Competition in Dinant, Belgium.
Rautiola currently teaches at the Sibelius Academy and Tampere Music Academy, sharing his expertise through masterclasses in cities such as Tokyo, Riga, London, and Strasbourg. As a dedicated Henri Selmer Paris and d’Addario Woodwinds artist, Joonatan Rautiola continues to inspire and influence the world of classical saxophone.
His enduring passion for music extends beyond the concert stage, with various projects involving composers, actors, choreographers, and circus artists. As a member of the Aava Saxophone Quartet and Uusinta Ensemble, Rautiola explores different musical expressions. His longstanding duo with pianist Marko Hilpo has been active for over two decades, delighting audiences across the globe. In his free time, Joonatan enjoys nature, yoga, reading, and spending quality time with his wife and two children.