The song cycle "Haudoilta" (From the graves, op. 74) was intended to be performed as a whole, with the concluding song representing a triumph over death and new life.
Performer Biography
Baritone Jorma Hynninen is a highly regarded Finnish vocal artist known for his profound approach to art, contributing to new contemporary operas and specializing in Lied.
Composer Biography
Oskar Merikanto, the composer, was a versatile Finnish musician, working as a composer, pianist, organist, conductor, critic, and teacher.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Merikanto's strength as a song composer was his rich and natural melodic style, often compared to the Italian composer Paolo Tosti, and he preferred an approachable, folk-like idiom over the German Lied style.
Composition History
Merikanto was the first Finnish composer to primarily set texts in Finnish, contributing to his popularity, though some songs were originally in Swedish or German.
Cultural Impact
Oskar Merikanto's songs, such as "Annina" and "Elämälle," are considered among the most beloved and enduring Finnish songs.
Performer Biography
Pianist Ilkka Paananen, who won the Maj Lind Piano Competition in 1982, is a freelance musician who has toured extensively in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
You might also enjoy...
Embrace: Songs by Hensel, Liszt, Ullmann, Grieg
Liszt: Voll Freud und Leid - Ausgewählte Lieder
Franz Liszt: Voll Freud und Leid. Ausgewählte Lieder
Alma Mahler, Lovers & Friends - Lieder by Korngold, A. Mahler, Pfitzner, Schreker, Walter & Zemlinsky
