Jussi Jalas
Encyclopedia
Jussi Jalas was a Finnish conductor
and composer.
in 1908. His father was the architect Yrjö Blomstedt. He studied at the Helsingfors Conservatory
1923-30 (later renamed the Sibelius Academy), and then in Paris 1933-34, under Wladimir Pohl, Pierre Monteux
and Rhené-Baton
. He had further study in Germany, Austria and Italy before returning to Finland.
He changed his surname to Jalas in 1943. He taught at the Sibelius Academy from 1945 to 1965, and was the music director of the Finnish National Opera
from 1945. He conducted the Finnish premieres of Britten
's operas Peter Grimes
and The Rape of Lucretia.
His wife Margareta was the daughter of Jean Sibelius
, and virtually every one of his concerts included a work by his father-in-law.
His own works included orchestral works, piano music and songs. He died in 1985, aged 77.
's opera, Juha, with Jorma Hynninen
, as well as, for Westminster, Norman Treigle
's two recital albums, "Arias from Italian, French and German Opera" (1967) and "Operatic Heroes and Villains" (1968).
For the same label, he conducted Beverly Sills
' first recital album, "Bellini and Donizetti Heroines" (1968). Among his "pirated" recordings is that of a 1971 Helsinski concert featuring Anja Silja
in excerpts from Götterdämmerung and Tristan und Isolde.
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
and composer.
Biography
Jussi Jalas was born as Armas Jussi Veikko Blomstedt in JyväskyläJyväskylä
Jyväskylä is the capital of Central Finland and the largest city on the Finnish Lakeland, north-east of Tampere and north of Helsinki, on northern coast of lake Päijänne. The city has been continuously one of the most rapidly growing cities in Finland since World War II. The city is surrounded...
in 1908. His father was the architect Yrjö Blomstedt. He studied at the Helsingfors Conservatory
Sibelius Academy
The Sibelius Academy is a university-level music school which operates in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland. It also has an adult education centre in Järvenpää and a training centre in Seinäjoki. The Academy is the only music university in Finland. It is among the biggest European music universities...
1923-30 (later renamed the Sibelius Academy), and then in Paris 1933-34, under Wladimir Pohl, Pierre Monteux
Pierre Monteux
Pierre Monteux was an orchestra conductor. Born in Paris, France, Monteux later became an American citizen.-Life and career:Monteux was born in Paris in 1875. His family was descended from Sephardi Jews who came to France in the wake of the Spanish Inquisition. He studied violin from an early age,...
and Rhené-Baton
Rhené-Baton
René-Emmanuel Baton, known as Rhené-Baton, , was a French conductor and composer. Though born in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, his family originated in Vitré in nearby Brittany. He returned to the region at the age of 19, and many of his compositions express his love of the area...
. He had further study in Germany, Austria and Italy before returning to Finland.
He changed his surname to Jalas in 1943. He taught at the Sibelius Academy from 1945 to 1965, and was the music director of the Finnish National Opera
Finnish National Opera
The Finnish National Opera in Helsinki is the leading opera company in Finland. Its home base is the Opera House on Töölönlahti bay in Töölö which opened in 1993, and is state-owned through Senate Properties...
from 1945. He conducted the Finnish premieres of Britten
Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
's operas Peter Grimes
Peter Grimes
Peter Grimes is an opera by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto adapted by Montagu Slater from the Peter Grimes section of George Crabbe's poem The Borough...
and The Rape of Lucretia.
His wife Margareta was the daughter of Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. His mastery of the orchestra has been described as "prodigious."...
, and virtually every one of his concerts included a work by his father-in-law.
His own works included orchestral works, piano music and songs. He died in 1985, aged 77.
Recordings
His discography includes a complete recording of Leevi MadetojaLeevi Madetoja
Leevi Antti Madetoja was a Finnish composer.-Life and career:Born in Oulu, he was the son of Antti Madetoja and Anna Hyttinen...
's opera, Juha, with Jorma Hynninen
Jorma Hynninen
Jorma Kalervo Hynninen is a Finnish baritone who performs regularly with the world's major opera companies. He has also worked in opera administration....
, as well as, for Westminster, Norman Treigle
Norman Treigle
Norman Treigle was an American operatic bass-baritone, who was acclaimed for his great abilities as a singing-actor, and specialized in roles that evoked villainy and terror....
's two recital albums, "Arias from Italian, French and German Opera" (1967) and "Operatic Heroes and Villains" (1968).
For the same label, he conducted Beverly Sills
Beverly Sills
Beverly Sills was an American operatic soprano whose peak career was between the 1950s and 1970s. In her prime she was the only real rival to Joan Sutherland as the leading bel canto stylist...
' first recital album, "Bellini and Donizetti Heroines" (1968). Among his "pirated" recordings is that of a 1971 Helsinski concert featuring Anja Silja
Anja Silja
Anja Silja Regina Langwagen, , born April 17, 1940, in Berlin, is a German soprano who is known for her great abilities as a singing-actress and for the vastness of her repertoire....
in excerpts from Götterdämmerung and Tristan und Isolde.
External links
- Jussi Jalas conducting an excerpt from La sonnambula, with Beverly Sills (1968, audio only).