Oskar Merikanto

Oskar Merikanto
Born (1868-08-05)5 August 1868
Helsinki, Finland
Died 17 February 1924(1924-02-17) (aged 55)
Hausjärvi-Oitti, Finland

Frans Oskar Merikanto ( pronunciation ) (5 August 1868, Helsinki   17 February 1924) was a Finnish musician and composer.

He was the son of Frans Ferdinand Kanto from Jalasjärvi, Southern Ostrobothnia. Frans got a Swedish-language 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.[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).

Merikanto's style reminded Finnish folk songs, but it had its basis in Italian bel canto.[3]

He died in Hausjärvi-Oitti.[4]

His son Aarre Merikanto is one of the most notable Finnish composers.

Works

He wrote vocal music in German, Swedish and Finnish. It includes

  • Rote Blumen
  • An den Frühling / 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

References

  1. Seppo Heikinheimo, Aarre Merikanto. Säveltäjäkohtalo itsenäisessä Suomessa. 1985
  2. Finnland Institut Archived 8 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. Lappalainen, Seija. "Merikanto, Oskar (1868 - 1924)" (in Finnish).
  4. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/oskar-merikanto-mn0002168249/biography
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