Heino Kaski facts for kids
Heino Wilhelm Daniel Kaski (born June 21, 1885, in Pielisjärvi, Finland – died September 20, 1957, in Helsinki, Finland) was a talented Finnish composer, teacher, and pianist. He is especially known for his many short and beautiful piano pieces, often called "miniatures," and his lovely songs.
Heino Kaski's Journey
Heino Kaski was born in a town called Pielisjärvi. His father was a cantor, which is a church musician who leads singing. Heino's father taught him to play the violin. He was very supportive of Heino's musical dreams.
When Heino decided to leave regular school, his father didn't mind. Heino moved to Helsinki to study music full-time. First, he went to the Helsinki Cantor-Organist school. After that, he joined the Philharmonic's Orchestra School. There, he kept learning the violin. He also studied music theory and how to compose music.
In 1911, a famous composer named Jean Sibelius suggested Heino for a special grant. This money allowed Heino to study music for four years in Berlin, Germany. He learned from a teacher named Paul Juon.
Heino came back to Finland in 1914. During this time, he worked on a big piece called the Symphony in B minor. Another composer, Selim Palmgren, helped him with parts of it. This symphony was first performed on October 2, 1919.
Later that same year, Heino traveled to Europe again. He studied in Berlin and then explored Italy and France. He finally returned to Finland in 1924. From then on, he worked as a music teacher in different schools.
Heino Kaski held nine concerts where only his own music was played. In 1950, he received a special award called the Pro Finlandia medal. This award is given to Finnish artists and writers.
Heino Kaski passed away in Helsinki on September 20, 1957, at the age of 72. Interestingly, another very famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, also died on the exact same day. Heino Kaski is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.
Heino Kaski's Music
Heino Kaski is most famous for his short piano pieces. He wrote over one hundred of these "miniatures." They show his natural talent for creating beautiful melodies. He also wrote more than one hundred songs. Besides these, he composed many pieces for small groups of instruments (called chamber works). He also wrote four orchestral suites and many other musical works.
Popular Piano Pieces
- Impromptu, op. 5/2
- Prelude in G-flat major, op. 7
- Reverie, op. 19/1
- Die Quellenymphe, op. 19/2
- Syysaamu (An Autumn Morning), op. 21/2
- Kevätaamu Caprilla (A Spring Morning at Capri), op. 25/3
- Yö meren rannalla (Night by the Sea), op. 34/1
- Pankakoski (Prelude in B minor), op. 48/1
- Vanha kellotapuli, op. 48/2
- Walamo, op. 48/3
Other Important Works
- Symphony in B minor, op. 16 (finished in 1919)
- Violin Sonata (from 1920)
- Cello Sonata (from 1923)
- Flute Sonata in B major, op. 51 (from 1937)
- Four orchestral suites
- A symphonic poem (a piece of orchestral music that tells a story or describes something)
- Many chamber works (music for a small group of instruments)
