Joonas Pekonen is a versatile young violinist currently residing in London. He enjoys an active freelance career in the UK, and is a regular guest with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Born in Finland, Pekonen attended the Sibelius Academy Junior Department and continued his degree studies with Merit Palas and Tero Latvala. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he received scholarships to continue his studies with Krysia Osostowicz at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He graduated with distinction in 2022. Pekonen successfully auditioned for the LSO String Experience Scheme in 2021, and he is also a former participant of the Finnish National Opera’s Apprenticeship Programme.
As a chamber musician Pekonen has appeared on a variety of festivals both in his native Finland and abroad. These include IMS Prussia Cove ‘Open Chamber’ in the UK, Aurora Festival in Sweden and Sounds of Luosto Festival, Flow Festival and Fiskars Summer Music In Finland. He has had the privilege of collaborating with musicians such as Louise Hopkins, Marko Ylönen, Caroline Palmer and Thomas Riebl to name a few. Pekonen is the first violinist of the Picea Quartet, with whom he won the St James’ Chamber Prize of 2021. The quartet studied with Ursula Smith and Matthew Jones.
Pekonen has appeared as a soloist with the Joensuu City Orchestra, Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, and recently with Tallis Chamber Orchestra, with whom he performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. He plays on an Anonymous “Antonio Stradivari 1699” violin, generously loaned to him by the Finnish Cultural Foundation. He has also received support from the Wegelius Foundation and the Jenny & Antti Wihuri Foundation.