Marvia, Einari

(1915-1997)

Einari Marvia (1915-1997) was a Finnish composer, music publisher and musicologist. He started his compositional studies at the age of 15, first privately with Erkki Melartin and later studied at the Sibelius Academy under Leevi MadetojaSelim PalmgrenAarre Merikanto and Sulho Ranta. He continued his studies in Vienna and Italy. Marvia made his life’s work as the publishing manager of Edition Fazer, a predecessor of Fennica Gehrman.

Einari Marvia’s work list includes chamber music and orchestral works. Among them are e.g. his Wind Quintet, the orchestral Serenata and the neoclassical Quartet for flute, clarinet, oboe and bassoon dating from 1936. Marvia has also written a Piano Sonata Op. 16 (1945) which has been published as an Urtext edition edited by pianist DMus Risto-Matti Marin.

Marvia contributed about a hundred solo songs to the Finnish Lied tradition established by Yrjö Kilpinen. The sources of inspiration were ancient Finnish folk poetry and the nature lyrics of Finnish poets. Marvia’s songs are characterised by rich musical, melodic invention enhanced by colourful, distinctive harmonies. A collection of solo songs has been published by Fennica Gehrman. Also available are his 11 arrangements of Finnish folk songs for voice and piano edited and compiled by Pentti Kotiranta.

Kuusi laulua / Sex sånger / Sechs Lieder

Six Songs (1948/52)

for high voice and orchestra

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Duration: 17

Serenata

(1943)

for high voice and orchestra

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Duration: 3

Syyspäivä / Höstdag / Autumn Day

(1947)

for high voice and orchestra

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Duration: 3

Tuulen kehtolaulu / The Wind's Lullaby

for high voice and orchestra

2020-2000-str

Duration: 2