Finnish piano virtuoso Paavali Jumppanen has been appointed as the new Artistic Director of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). He will take up the position in January 2021 at the end of Nick Deutsch’s tenure. Jumppanen will divide his time between Helsinki and Melbourne in 2021, then in 2022, he will relocate his family to Melbourne.

Described by Limelight in 2017 as “one of life’s more thoughtful musicians, whose artistic balancing act finds him equally at home with Boulez as he is with Beethoven”, Jumppanen is no stranger to Australia. He has toured here eight times over the past 15 years. During that time he has performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and has led three creative residencies at ANAM.

Paavali Jumppanen. Photograph © Anu Jormalainen

“His collaborative approach, deep respect for the cultural ecosystem of Australia and his drive to contribute to the musical life of Australia and the world is clear,” said ANAM Chair John Daley.

“Equally Paavali will deepen ANAM’s growing connections with leading international music academies. He has worked with many of them, particularly the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and as a visiting...