Kuusisto, Ilkka
Ilkka Kuusisto (1933-2025) was a versatile figure in Finnish musical life: a composer, conductor and arts administrator. The son of composer Taneli Kuusisto, he studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki with Aarre Merikanto, Nils Eric Fougstedt and others. He was the publishing director of Fazer Music in 1981–84 and director of the Finnish National Opera in 1984–92. As a choral conductor, he has led many choirs, including Laulu-Miehet and the Finnish Radio Chorus.
Kuusisto’s compositions range from jazz and film music to vocal music and operas. They retain a tonal basis, and the melodic quality is enhanced by a homophonic accompanying texture. Kuusisto also displays a keen sense of humour in works such as the Moomin Opera (1974). In his five-act opera Sota valosta (The Battle for the Sun, 1980) he combines themes from the national epic, the Kalevala, and uses archaic elements borrowed from medieval and folk music. Jääkäri Ståhl (Ensign Ståhl, 1981), drawing widely on Ostrobothnian minor-key melodies, is, according to Kuusisto, a more direct ‘folk opera’. Aino Ackté is an opera about the first international star of the Finnish opera scene. Other popular stage works include Gabriel, tule takaisin! (Gabriel, come back!, 1998) and Nainen kuin jäätynyt samppanja (1999).
Ilkka Kuusisto has also written several solo songs and song cycles such as Do not stand at my grave and weep for soprano and piano is composed in 2020. Other vocal works include songs to text by various Finnish poets such as L. Onerva, Aale Tynni, Einari Vuorela, Helena Anhava and Lassi Nummi. Kuusisto’s pedagogical piano collections Ekat Jazzit (Jazz for Kiddies) and My First Latin American (Ekat latttarit) have been popular among young pianists. Kuusisto has also arranged 24 Finnish Christmas carols for voice small orchestra including the songs in Jean Sibelius’ Opus 1.
24 suomalaista joululaulua [SALES MATERIAL]
for voice and small orchestra
SALES MATERIAL 1. J.Sibelius: Nu står jul vid snöig port / Joulu saapuu portin luo / Now Stands Yule at the Snowy Gate (Swe/Fin/Eng) 2’ [2fl-str] 2. J.Sibelius: Nu så kommer julen / Tervehtii jo meitä / Now is Christmas Coming (Swe/Fin/Eng) 3’ [2fl-str] 3. J.Sibelius: Det mörknar ute / Jo joutuu ilta / O’er Hill and Dale (Swe/Fin/Eng) 2’ [2fl-str] 4. J.Sibelius: Giv mig ej glans / En etsi valtaa, loistoa / Gib mir nicht Glanz / We Ask for Nothing Rich or Rare (Swe/Fin/Eng/Ger) 4’ [2fl-str] 5. J.Sibelius: On hanget, korkeat nietokset / Visst drivor höga som skyn vi ha / The Shining Snows are Driven High (Swe/Fin/Eng) 3’ [2fl-str] 6. K.Collan: Sylvian joululaulu / Sylvias julvisa (Sylvia’s Carol) (Fin/Swe) 4’ [2fl-str] 7. P.J.Hannikainen: Hiljaa, hiljaa helkkyellen / Lyss till kvällens milda toner (Softly, Softly Ringing) (Fin/Swe) 3’ [hp-str] 8. P.J.Hannikainen: Tuikkikaa, oi joulun tähtöset (Twinkle, Little Christmas Stars) (Fin) 2’ [str] 9. P.J.Hannikainen: Kautta tyynen, vienon yön / I den stilla nattens fred (Through the Soft and Tranquil Night) (Fin/Swe) 2’ [str] 10. O.Merikanto: Joulu tullut on (Christmas is here) (Fin) 2’ [fl-str] 11. E.Melartin: Yön keskellä tähtönen loisti / Du strålande Betlehemsstjärna (A Star Shone in the Night) (Fin/Swe) 2’ [str] 12. S.Palmgren: Ja neitsyt pikkupoijuttansa / Och jungfrun gömmer troget (The Virgin Mary Rocks Her Child) (Fin/Swe) 2’ [str] 13. H.Kaski: Mökit nukkuu lumiset / Skog och fält i snöskrud stå (The Snowbound Cabins Sleep) (Fin/Swe) 4’ [hp-str] 14. L.Madetoja: Arkihuolesi kaikki heitä / Vardagssorgerna glöm dem alla (Cast off All Care) (Fin/Swe) 2’ [hp-str] 15. L.Madetoja: Enkelien joululaulu (The Angels’ Carol) (Fin) 2’ [2fl-str] 16. I.Hannikainen: Odotan jouluvierasta (I Await a Christmas Guest) (Fin) 2’ [str] 17. J.Pohjanmies: Talvi-iltana (On a Winter’s Evening) (Fin) 2’ [str] 18. V.Hannikainen: On maassa hanget puhtahat / På marken ligger dunnmjuk snö (Snow Lies Fresh upon the Ground) (Fin/Swe) 2’ [str] 19. M.Turunen: Me käymme joulun viettohon / Vi gå att fira julens fest (We Go to Celebrate Christmas) (Fin/Swe) 3’ [hp-str] 20. T.Kuusisto: Oi saavu, rauhan juhla (Come Festival of Peace) (Fin) 3’ [hp-str] 21. A.Sonninen: Rauhaa, vain rauhaa / Hör, julens klockor ringa i frid (Peace, Perfect Peace) (Fin/Swe) 3’ [str] 22. J.Parviainen: Betlehem (Bethlehem) (Fin) 3’ [str] 23. O.Kotilainen: Kun joulu on (Now that it is Christmas) (Fin) 2’ [2fl-str] 24. O.Kotilainen: Varpunen jouluaamuna / Sparven på julmorgonen (A Sparrow on Christmas Morning) (Fin/Swe) 4’ [hp-str]
Duration: 0
Aaronin Ykkönen
valikoima sovituksia solistille ja orkesterille
2(II+picc)111(+cfg)-2111-12-str
Duration: 0
Divertimento no. 1
for string orchestra
str I Allegro II Moderato III Bright
Duration: 10
Dolmatovskin laulu
oopperasta Taipaleenjoki
voice and orchestra
2.2.2.2-2.0.1.0-1.0-str
Duration: 3
Fjäriln vingad eller qvinnokunst och mannamod
Musik till sångspelet av Erik Söderblom
for orchestra
0011-1000-1(+perc)-keyb(cemb/lute/guit/theorb or other)-str Percussione: Tamburo militare, Piatto sospeso, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Triangolo, Maracas
Duration: 0
Fröken Julie / Miss Julie
2-näytöksinen ooppera / Opera in 2 acts (1993)
for 3 singing roles and orchestra
2222-2210-11-str
Duration: 90
Gabriel, tule takaisin!
4-näytöksinen ooppera (1995)
for 6 singing roles, female chorus and orchestra
2S-MS-A-T-Bar-SSAA 1111-2110-01-pf(+keyb)-str Percussione: 2 Timpani, Tamburo militare, Tom-toms, Gran cassa, 2 Bongos, Piatti (medio & piccolo), Tamtam (grande), Glockenspiel, Silofono, Vibrafono, Triangolo, 2 blocchi di legno, Guiro, 2 Maracas, Cabasa, Vibraslap, Drum set
Duration: 110
Iloista joulua - sikermä joululauluja
Versio suurelle orkesterille
for large orchestra
3(III=picc)3(III=ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-11-hp-str Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Triangle, Sleigh Bells Ensimmäinen joulu - The First Nowell Jouluilta (Taivahalla syttyi juuri) Kilisee kilisee kulkunen Joulukirkkoon (Kello löi jo viisi) Oi sä riemuisa - O du fröhliche
Duration: 0
Iloista joulua -sikermä joululauluja
Versio sinfoniaorkesterille
for orchestra
2222-2210-11-hp-str Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Triangle, Sleigh Bells Ensimmäinen joulu - The First Nowell Jouluilta (Taivahalla syttyi juuri) Kilisee kilisee kulkunen Joulukirkkoon (Kello löi jo viisi) Oi sä riemuisa - O du fröhliche
Duration: 7
Isänmaan tyttäret
3-näytöksinen ooppera (1996)
for 21 major and minor roles, chorus and orchestra
2222-2231-11-str
Duration: 120
Jääkäri Ståhl / Jaeger Ståhl
6-näytöksinen ooppera (1981-1982)
for 14 major and minor roles, chorus and orchestra
2222-4330-12-str
Duration: 110
Kiljusten Kalevala / Kalevala after the Kiljunen Family
Musikaali / Musical (1998)
children's musical in two acts
6 major roles piano; double bass, percussion
Duration: 0
Kotia kohti
2-näytöksinen kirkko-ooppera (2005 / 2009)
for voice and ensemble
pohjautuu Z. Topeliuksen tarinaan "Koivu ja tähti" vl(+mand)-acc-org(+pf)
Duration: 60
Kuninkaan sormus
2-näytöksinen ooppera (2001)
for 6 major and 20 minor roles, chorus and orchestra
2222-2210-11-keyb-str
Duration: 130
Matilda ja Nikolai / Matilda and Nikolai
Ooppera 12 kohtauksessa / Opera in 12 scenes (2003-2004)
for 10 major and minor roles, chorus and orchestra
2222-2210-01-pf-str
Duration: 90
Meren lauluja
(1991)
for children’s or youth choir and orchestra
2000-0000-01-str 1. Meren laulu (The Sea Song) 4’ 2. Pääskyn aika (The Time of the Swallow) 3’ 3. Meri on sininen (The Sea is Blue) 3’ 4. Satamahinaaja (The Tugboat) 4’
Duration: 14
Miehen kylkiluu / The Rib of a Man
3-näytöksinen ooppera / Opera in 3 acts (1977-1978)
for 9 major and minor roles and orchestra
1011-1000-01-acc-str
Duration: 105
Miehen kylkiluu [full version]
3-näytöksinen ooppera (1977-1978)
for 9 major and minor roles and orchestra
2(II+picc)22(II+bcl)2(II+cfg)-4231-12-str
Duration: 105
Muumiooppera / Die Muminoper
The Moomin Opera (1974)
for 7 singing roles, 2 non-singing roles, dancers and orchestra
1(+picc)11(+ebcl+bcl)1-2111-02-hp-str Percussion: Timpani, Snare drum, Tom-tom, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Gong, Bell plates, Marimba, Xylophone, Triangle, Tambourines, Maracas, Wood blocks, Penal, Rattle, Flexatone, Cow bell, Car horn
Duration: 65
Nainen kuin jäätynyt samppanja
2-näytöksinen kamariooppera (1999)
for voice, dancer and ensemble
pf-vl-vc
Duration: 80
Pelle Svanslös
En kattmusikal
for voices and ensemble
Duration: 0
Pierrot eller nattens hemligheter
2-näytöksinen ooppera (1990)
for 3 major roles, keyboard, percussion and string orchestra
pf(+synth)-perc-str
Duration: 60
Postineiti
2-näytöksinen ooppera (1991)
for 18 major and minor roles, chorus and orchestra
0022-2110-11-pf-str
Duration: 100
Pula!
2-näytöksinen ooppera Konikapinasta (2002)
for 21 major and minor roles, chorus and orchestra
2220-2230-11-pf-str
Duration: 120
Pyhä yö
joulukohtaus oopperasta Taipaleenjoki
for soloists, children's chorus and orchestra
Libretto: Panu Rajala 2222-2221-00-str
Duration: 5
Sarja Suzuki-sovituksia
for orchestra (1st mov with piano solo)
2(II+picc)222-2220-11-str Percussione: Tamburino, Piatto sospeso, Tam-tam 1. Kuutamolla (pf & orch) 2. Arabialainen laulu 3. Allegretto 4. Musette
Duration: 0
Soi, virteni, kiitosta Herran
Kalajokilaaksosta ((arr.Ilkka Kuusisto)
for voice and orchestra
0020-0000-str
Duration: 2
Sota valosta
5-näytöksinen ooppera (1980)
for 19 major and minor roles, actors, chorus and orchestra
2(II+picc+afl)2(II+ca)2(II+ebcl+bcl)2(II+cfg)-433(III+btrb)1-12-hp-acc-str
Duration: 150
Symphony No. 1
(1998)
for symphony orchestra
3(III=picc)3(III=ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-12-hp-str Percussione: Tamburo militare, Tamburino, Gran cassa, Tam-tam, Glockenspiel, Silofono, Triangolo, Woodblock
Duration: 27
Symphony No. 2
(2005)
for symphony orchestra
3(III=picc)3(III=ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-12-str Percussione: Tamburo militare, Gran cassa, Piatti, Tam-tam, Glockenspiel, Silofono, Triangolo, Guiro, Lastra di metallo
Duration: 32
Taipaleenjoki
2-näytöksinen ooppera (2010)
for 19 major and minor roles, chorus and orchestra
2222-2221-11-str
Duration: 150
Tule hiutale
for mixed choir and orchestra
2222-2000-02-str Percussion: Glockenspiel, Tubular Bells, Triangle
Duration: 5
Vapauden vanki
2-näytöksinen kamariooppera (2006)
for baritone and ensemble
ob(+ca+oa)-vl-vla-vc-hp-pf
Duration: 85
