The grand old man of Finnish opera Ilkka Kuusisto passed away recently. In addition to almost 20 operas he also wrote an enormous amount of off-stage vocal music: choir works and song cycles. Newly published Kuusisto solo songs and song cycles: Merellinen sarja – Laulusarja Jouni Lompolon runoihin mezzosopraanolle ja pianolleMaritime suite – Song cycle…
Lotta Wennäkoski (b. 1970) wrote her song cycle I stället för vingar (Instead of wings, 2014-16) to poems of Eva-Stina Byggmästar. The original suite is for mezzo-soprano and ensemble. The composer made an adaption for mezzo-soprano and piano of the fourth movement Fågelmänniska (A bird man) in 2023. Wild and strong poem rotates around the…
The melodies of the 15 inspired arrangements for young cellist and pianist originate from the rich folk music in Europe and the Americas. Renowned Finnish piano pedagogue Liisa Karhilo (1930-98) wanted to develop the possibilities for children to play together – by doing chamber music from the very beginning. The cello parts are edited by…
Ahti Sonninen (1914-84) sovitti suomalaisen hengellisen kansanperinteen aarteita sellolle ja uruille (tai pianolle). Melodiat “Siionin virret” -kokoelmasta ovat peräisin eri puolilta Suomea. Buy now
Jyrki Linjama wrote Prélude oublié (2021/24) for Juho Pohjonen. The title alludes to Baroque tradition of arpeggiated keyboard preludes, filtered in a similar way as French baroque elements appear in certain works by Ravel and Debussy. There is one direct reference to a Baroque piece: the quotation from the chorus “Et incarnatus est” in Bach’s…
The longed-for fourth part of the Colourstrings Viola Book D (2/2025) series is here! Book D continues the use of the five-line stave introduced in the Book C and uses folk songs from 12 different countries. New and mixed finger pattern (e.g., the flattened second finger) and major & minor pentachords as well as major…
The Pelimannit (Fiddlers, 1952) suite, numbered opus 1, was the first “real” composition by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928–2016), written even before he was accepted by the Sibelius Academy to study composition. He originally scored it for the piano, but later made an arrangement for string orchestra. Before taking the Academy’s entrance exam, he had been reading…
Matti Rautio: Duos for two violins – 25 folk tunes from FinlandCarefully chosen 25 Finnish folk tunes arranged for two violins by composer Matti Rautio (1922-1986) were published 1963 for the first time. Technically easy but imaginative arrangements make versatile use of open strings and the first position., introducing the typical features of Finnish folk…
Ida Moberg (1859–1947) was a Finnish composer and teacher. She grew up in a musical family, her father being an instrument maker. Ida was exceptionally well-educated in music: she studied singing and piano at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, composing and singing at the Helsinki Orchestra School, composing at the Royal Musical Academy in Dresden, improvisation…
Kalevi Aho’s Concerto for timpani and orchestra (2015) was premiered in Turku, Finland 22nd April 2016 Ari-Pekka Mäenpää as soloists and Erkki Lasonpalo as conductor. Performance material is available for hire from the publisher. Duration: 29′. Buy now (Study score)
