Oskar Merikanto
born on 5/8/1868 in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland
died on 17/2/1924 in Hausjärvi, Tavastia Proper, Finland
Oskar Merikanto
Oskar Merikanto () (5 August 186817 February 1924) was a Finnish musician and composer.
He was the son of Frans Ferdinand Kanto from Jalasjärvi, who got a Swedish surname, Mattsson, when he joined the Finnish army. He changed the name in 1882. Meri means "sea" and refers to his voyage from Vaasa to Helsinki; Kanto refers to his origins from the estate Kanto in the Finnish-speaking area of Ostrobothnia.[1]
He studied for some time at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, where his teachers were Carl Reinecke, Theodor Coccius, Robert Papperitz, Willy Rechenberg and Gustav Schreck.[2]
He was notable for his variety of talents he gave concerts all around Finland, performing on the piano and organ, conducting orchestras, and composing original music. Some of his most beloved compositions are Där björkarna susa, and the waltz Kesäillan valssi (Summernight's Waltz).
He died in Hausjärvi-Oitti.
His son Aarre Merikanto is one of the most notable Finnish composers.
Works
- Romanssi, Op. 12
- Pohjan neiti (Maiden of the North) (1898)
- Nälkämaan laulu (The Song of the Hungry) (1911)
- various pieces for organ, including "Wedding Hymn"
He wrote vocal music in German, Swedish and Finnish. It includes
- Rote Blumen
- An den Fruhling/Keväälle
- Ström' leise / Oi, tyynny, sa virta
- Wehmut/Alakuloisuus
- Till Dig
- Omenakukat
- Ma Elän
- Rukous (Ave Maria)
- Pai Pai Paitaressu
Sheet Music
- Piano Pieces 1: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja 1. Vihko
- Piano Pieces 4: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja 4. Vihko
- Piano Pieces 5: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja 5. Vihko
External links
- Free scores by Oskar Merikanto in the International Music Score Library Project
- Streaming audio at the Gustavus Adolphus College Archives
- http://www.geni.com/people/Frans-Ferdinand-Ala-Kanto/600000001922-2896516
References
- Seppo Heikinheimo, Aarre Merikanto. Säveltäjäkohtalo itsenäisessä Suomessa. 1985
- Finnland Institut
This article uses material from the article Oskar Merikanto from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.