Toivo Kuula's compositional idiom is rooted in 19th-century tonality, enriched by modal features from folk music and French influences, such as the fleeting use of the whole-tone scale.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Many of Toivo Kuula's melodies were inspired by the folk music of southern Ostrobothnia, and his style resonates deeply with the Finnish psyche.
Critical Reception
Toivo Kuula's solo songs have been slow to gain international interest primarily because he set nearly all of them to Finnish poetry by his contemporaries.
Performer Biography
Tommi Hakala, the baritone on this recording, won the prestigious BBC Singer of the World award at the 2003 International Singing Competition in Cardiff.
Composer Biography
Toivo Kuula's life ended tragically in a shooting incident in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Composer Biography
Toivo Kuula, the composer, began composing music while still at school and studied violin and composition in Helsinki, Bologna, Leipzig, and Paris.
Performer Biography
Kristian Attila, the pianist, is one of Finland's most sought-after Lied pianists and has served as an official pianist for several singing competitions.
