SAXOPHONIST  |  MUSICIAN  |  PRODUCER

Saxophone Quartet Aava is a dynamic and versatile saxophone quartet founded in 2013, consisting of Finnish saxophone virtuosos. The quartet’s members Joonatan Rautiola, Samu Metsänen, Kalle Oittinen, and Eero Saunamäki are top-tier musicians who hold prominent positions in the Finnish saxophone scene. They work regularly at institutions such as the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki, the Tampere Conservatory, and the Guards Band of the Finnish Defence Forces, while also performing actively both in Finland and abroad. Their education includes studies at the Sibelius Academy, the Paris Conservatory, and various international masterclasses.

 

In recent years, the quartet has performed at events and venues such as the Musica Nova Festival, Musiikkitalo Helsinki, concert halls in the Pirkanmaa region, and various churches and private events in Helsinki. The quartet’s diverse repertoire features gems of French saxophone literature, contemporary music, and jazz-inspired pieces. Recent commissioned compositions and world premieres include Siivet for saxophone quartet and male choir by Paavo Korpijaakko, Transformations for saxophone quartet and wind orchestra by Veli Kujala, and Extraterrestrial Concerto for saxophone quartet and wind orchestra by Ville Komppa. The quartet has also extensively performed piano music arranged and orchestrated for Aava by Kalle Oittinen. The funding for music composed for Aava has been supported by the Madetoja Foundation, Teosto, and the Uusimaa Regional Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation.

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In 2025, Saxophone Quartet Aava will perform at the Riihimäen kesäkonsertit festival. Additionally, the quartet will make its debut as a soloist with a symphony orchestra, with the concert program and schedule to be announced soon.

 

The quartet occasionally performs as a trio under the name Saxophone Quartet Ava.

 

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