Apart from Nielsen and Sibelius, what else is there up north?
mainThe Helsingin Sanomat has been worrying about turning into a one-symphonist state. According to assessments by Kalevi Aho, a living composer, Sibelius accounts for 40% of all Finnish classical music performed in concert halls, home and abroad.
So, what else is there?
The Sanomat offers seven [Finnish] symphonies from the shadow of Sibelius, here (with links):
1. Aarre Merikanto: Symphony No. 2 “War Symphony” (1918)
2. Erkki Melartin: Symphony No. 6 (1924)
3. Leevi Madetoja: Symphony No. 3 (1926)
4. Einar Englund: Symphony No. 2 “The Blackbird” (1947)
5. Einojuhani Rautavaara: Symphony No. 3 (1961)
6. Paavo Heininen: Symphony No. 2 “Petite symphonie joyeuse” (1962)
7. Joonas Kokkonen: Symphony No. 4 (1971)
Oddly, none of Aho’s 16 symphonies made the cut. Or Leif Segerstam’s 285.
Anyone else they missed?
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