16 APRIL 2026
Fantasy for piano & orchestra wins the Teosto Prize 2026

Järventausta’s Fantasy for piano & orchestra has been awarded the Teosto Prize, the largest award for music in Finland and one of the largest art awards in the Nordic countries. This year, the prize was awarded to Järventausta and song-writer Aili Järvelä. The prize sum of EUR 40,000 is divided equally between the winners. The jury’s remarks:

Fantasy for piano & orchestra is a breathtakingly multidimensional work—one that acknowledges its heritage while remaining firmly rooted in the present. Portraying the dramatic stages surrounding the birth of the composer’s child, it draws the listener in and opens up an immersive, vividly imagined sound world. Its originality lies in Järventausta’s willingness to let the music breathe, avoiding any unnecessary emphasis on tonal or structural complexity. Within the piece, Järventausta creates a distinctive musical landscape in which the deep roots of classical tradition interact seamlessly with modern expression. At moments, the work even gestures toward pop influences, yet it does so without ever compromising its clearly recognisable identity. Rhythmically vibrant and meticulously crafted, the work derives particular strength from its thoughtful yet striking use of percussion. The interplay of contrasting orchestral sound masses results in a richly coloured, dynamic texture that brings the work compellingly to life.

16 APRIL 2026
London Symphony Orchestra commissions Trumpet Concerto

London Symphony Orchestra has commissioned a new trumpet concerto from Joel Järventausta. The world premiere will be given by the LSO, with Principal Trumpet James Fountain, conducted by Elim Chan on 17 June 2027 at the Barbican, London. Co-commissioners TBA.

10 APRIL 2026
Songs, Games & Dances released on Naxos

Violinist Niklas Walentin and Ensemble Storstrøm (Danish Chamber Players) have released a new album, New Nordic Pocket Concertos, which includes Järventausta’s Songs, Games & Dances. The album is released by Naxos. Visit Discography. 

29 OCTOBER 2025
Fantasy for piano & orchestra World Premiere with Joonas Ahonen, FRSO & Ilan Volkov

On October 29th Joonas Ahonen gave the world premiere of Järventausta’s Fantasy for piano & orchestra with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ilan Volkov in Helsinki.

01 OCTOBER 2025
Naava & Ripped Tapestry released on Alba Records

Järventausta’s orchestral works Naava and Ripped Tapestry have been released on Alba Records, performed by Jyväskylä Sinfonia under Ville Matvejeff. Visit Discography.

19 SEPTEMBER 2025
Snowscapes released on Alba Records

Snowscapes for solo piano is featured on The Bowery Trio’s new album, Mission in the North, released on Alba Records. Visit Discography.

04 SEPTEMBER 2025
Songs, Games & Dances wins Composer-of-the-Year Award

Finnish Music Publisher’s Association has awarded Järventausta Composer-of-the Year Award for Small-Scale Works for his concertino for violin and ensemble, Songs, Games & Dances.

06 JUNE 2025
Suns extinguished released on LSO Live

Suns extinguished for orchestra has been released on London Symphony Orchestra’s new album, Panufnik Legacies IV, conducted by Jack Sheen. Visit Discography.

15 FEBRUARY 2025
Chamber opera nominated for Thalia-Award

Ihminen parhaan kykynsä mukaan is nominated for Thalia-Award by Theatre Info Finland. The award recognises a performance that stimulates social debate, attracts new audiences, enjoys international success, or is otherwise particularly noteworthy, thereby generating discussion about the significance of theatre arts.

15 JANUARY 2025
On Blue released on Métier

On Blue for string quartet is featured on Kreutzer Quartet’s new album, So Transporting Bright, released on Métier. Visit Discography.

20 JUNE 2024
Chamber opera nominated for Composer-of-the-Year Award

Ihminen parhaan kykynsä mukaan is nominated for Composer-of-the Year Award for Large-Scale Works by the Finnish Music Publishers Association.

06 MAY 2024
Järventausta Composer-in-Residence in Denmark

Joel Järventausta will be Composer-in-Residence at the I Djurs og Mols-festival in Denmark from 25th to the 31st of July. Performances include On Blue by the string quartet of the Royal Danish Orchestra, world premiere of En Sourdine by soprano Olivia Moss and violist Alexander Øllgaard and world premiere of Songs, Games & Dances by violinist Niklas Walentin and Ensemble Storstrøm (The Danish Chamber Players). Previous Composers-in-Residence include Kaija Saariaho and Daniel Bjarnason.

02 APRIL 2024
Chamber opera World Premiere at Turku City Theatre

Joel Järventausta’s and Tommi Kinnunen’s chamber opera Ihminen parhaan kykynsä mukaan received its world premiere on April 2nd, followed by ten further performances that month. A co-production of Saaristo-ooppera, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra and Turku City Theatre.

15 JANUARY 2024
Bacchanale World Premiere with ONDIF & Ainars Rubikis

The world premiere of Bacchanale was given by the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France under Ainars Rubikis, with performances at Opéra de Massy (January 12th) and Philharmonie de Paris (January 15th).