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1967

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Janne Mertanen is a Finnish classical pianist known for his virtuosic performances and sensitive interpretations of a wide range of repertoire. Born in Helsinki in 1976, Mertanen showed an early aptitude for music and began piano lessons at the age of six. He quickly progressed and by the age of ten, he had won his first national piano competition. Mertanen continued his studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he studied with renowned pianist Liisa Pohjola. He also spent time studying with other notable pianists, including András Schiff and Leon Fleisher. During his time at the Sibelius Academy, Mertanen won several awards and competitions, including the Maj Lind Piano Competition in 1995. After completing his studies, Mertanen began to establish himself as a soloist and chamber musician, performing throughout Europe and Asia. He made his debut at the Helsinki Music Centre in 2000, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. This performance was widely praised for Mertanen's technical skill and musical sensitivity. Mertanen has since performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with many distinguished conductors, including Esa-Pekka Salonen, Sir Simon Rattle, and Valery Gergiev. In addition to his work as a soloist, Mertanen is also an accomplished chamber musician. He has performed with many of the world's leading string quartets, including the Emerson Quartet and the Takács Quartet. He is also a founding member of the Helsinki Piano Quartet, which has received critical acclaim for its performances and recordings. Mertanen's repertoire is wide-ranging, encompassing works from the Baroque era to the present day. He is particularly known for his interpretations of the music of Beethoven, Schumann, and Sibelius. He has also championed the music of contemporary composers, including Magnus Lindberg and Kaija Saariaho. Mertanen has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2002, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal, one of Finland's highest honors for cultural achievement. He has also been awarded the Finnish State Prize for Music and the Sibelius Medal. In addition to his performing career, Mertanen is also a dedicated teacher. He has taught at the Sibelius Academy and the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin. He is currently a professor of piano at the University of the Arts Helsinki. Janne Mertanen's recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including the Finnish Emma Award for Best Classical Album. His recordings of the complete piano music of Jean Sibelius have been particularly well-received, with Gramophone magazine praising his "sensitivity and insight" in these works. Overall, Janne Mertanen is a highly respected and accomplished pianist, known for his technical skill, musical sensitivity, and wide-ranging repertoire. His performances and recordings have received critical acclaim and he is widely regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation.

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