Oskar Merikanto facts for kids
Oskar Merikanto (born Frans Oskar Ala-Kanto; August 5, 1868 – February 17, 1924) was a famous Finnish composer. He was also a music critic, a talented pianist, and an organist. Merikanto was born in Helsinki and passed away in Hausjärvi-Oitti.
He was known for writing many short, beautiful pieces of music. He created over 100 songs and more than 100 piano pieces. Some of his most popular works include Summer Evening Waltz, Romance, and Valse lente.
Merikanto also wrote three operas. An opera is a play where most of the words are sung. His opera The Maiden of the North (1898) was very important. It was the first opera ever written with words in the Finnish language.
Besides composing, Merikanto also wrote about music. He worked for a Finnish newspaper called Päivälehti.
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About Oskar Merikanto
Oskar Merikanto's father was Frans Ferdinand Ala-Kanto. His mother was Anna Helena Merikanto. His father changed the family name to Merikanto in 1882. The name Meri means "sea" in Finnish. This part of the name refers to his father's journey from Vaasa to Helsinki. The Kanto part comes from his family's original home.
Oskar Merikanto studied music in Germany. He attended the Leipzig Conservatory. There, he learned from many great teachers.
He was a very versatile musician. He performed concerts all over Finland. He played both the piano and the organ. He also led orchestras as a conductor. And, of course, he composed his own music.
Merikanto's music often sounds like traditional Finnish folk songs. However, his style also had roots in Italian bel canto. Bel canto is a beautiful way of singing that focuses on smooth, flowing melodies.
He passed away in Hausjärvi-Oitti in 1924.
Family Life
Oskar Merikanto married Elise "Liisa" Häyrynen in 1892. They had one son together. Their son, Aarre Merikanto, also became a well-known Finnish composer.
Oskar Merikanto's Music
Merikanto wrote many different kinds of music. He is especially famous for his piano pieces and songs for solo voice.
Piano Music
He composed many pieces for the piano. Some of these include:
- Summer Evening Waltz (Op. 1)
- Romance (Op. 12)
- Summer Evening Idyll (Op. 16/2)
- Valse lente (Op. 33)
- Idyll (Op. 73/1)
- Concert-Walzer
- Fest-Marsch
- Liebestraum
- Scherzo
- Trauermarsch
Organ Music
Merikanto also wrote music for the organ. The organ is a large musical instrument often found in churches. Some of his organ works include:
- Fantasia cromatica
- Fantasia ja koraali
- Häähymni (Wedding Hymn)
- Passacaglia (Op. 80)
- Postludium pieces
Songs for Solo Voice
He composed a large number of songs for a single singer. These songs often tell stories or express feelings. Some examples are:
- Pai, pai, paitaressu
- Vanha mummo
- Kevätlinnuille etelässä
- Myrskylintu
- Soi vienosti murheeni soitto
- Oi, muistatko vielä sen virren
- Itkevä huilu
- Hyvää yötä
- Äitini silmät
Images for kids
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Young Oskar Merikanto
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Portrait of Merikanto by Albert Gebhard in 1903
See also
- Golden Age of Finnish Art
