Toivo Kuula
Encyclopedia
Toivo Timoteus Kuula was a Finnish
conductor
and composer
. He was born in the city of Vaasa
(in those days Nikolainkaupunki), when Finland still was a Grand Duchy
under Russia
n rule. He is known as a colorful and passionate portrayer of Finnish nature and people. He was also known to be a fanatical Fennoman
.
A Swedish
critic once said that Kuula's music reaches parts of the human spirit where one is forced to deep examination of one's self.
Kuula died in the provincial hospital in Viipuri in 1918 after being mortally wounded 18 days earlier on Walpurgis Night
by a bullet fired by a Jäger
. The bullet was fired as a result of a quarrel that happened at the Hotel Seurahuone in conjunction with the first victory celebration of the white victory in the Civil War of Finland. Kuula is buried in Hietaniemi cemetery
, Helsinki
.
Kuula is best remembered for his large output of melodic choir and vocal works. His instrumental works include two Ostrobothnian Suites for orchestra, a violin sonata, a piano trio, and an unfinished Symphony.
His major work is the Stabat Mater which remained unfinished at the time of his death.
Kuula also wrote a few dozen highly artistic piano works.
A simplified works list (by Joel Valkila) on the basis of Tero Tommila's Catalogue of Works:
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+ Six Posthumous Piano Pieces (Two unfinished)
+ Six Posthumous Orchestral Pieces (Two unfinished)
+ Twenty-Two Posthumous Chamber Pieces (Five unfinished)
+ Fourteen Songs (Three unfinished)
+ One Posthumous Cantata
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
conductor
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
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He was born in the city of Vaasa
Vaasa
Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. It received its charter in 1606, during the reign of Charles IX of Sweden and is named after the Royal House of Vasa...
(in those days Nikolainkaupunki), when Finland still was a Grand Duchy
Grand duchy
A grand duchy, sometimes referred to as a grand dukedom, is a territory whose head of state is a monarch, either a grand duke or grand duchess.Today Luxembourg is the only remaining grand duchy...
under Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n rule. He is known as a colorful and passionate portrayer of Finnish nature and people. He was also known to be a fanatical Fennoman
Fennoman
The Fennomans were the most important political movement in the 19th century Grand Principality of Finland. They succeeded the fennophile interests of the 18th and early 19th century.-History:...
.
A Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
critic once said that Kuula's music reaches parts of the human spirit where one is forced to deep examination of one's self.
Kuula died in the provincial hospital in Viipuri in 1918 after being mortally wounded 18 days earlier on Walpurgis Night
Walpurgis Night
Walpurgis Night is a traditional spring festival on 30 April or 1 May in large parts of Central and Northern Europe. It is often celebrated with dancing and with bonfires. It is exactly six months from All Hallows' Eve.-Name:...
by a bullet fired by a Jäger
Finnish Jäger troops
The Jäger Movement were volunteers from Finland trained in Germany as Jägers during World War I. Supported by Germany to enable a Finnish sovereign state, it was one of many means by which Germany intended to weaken Russia and to cause Russia's loss of western provinces and...
. The bullet was fired as a result of a quarrel that happened at the Hotel Seurahuone in conjunction with the first victory celebration of the white victory in the Civil War of Finland. Kuula is buried in Hietaniemi cemetery
Hietaniemi cemetery
The Hietaniemi cemetery is located in the Töölö district of Helsinki, the capital of Finland...
, Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
.
Kuula is best remembered for his large output of melodic choir and vocal works. His instrumental works include two Ostrobothnian Suites for orchestra, a violin sonata, a piano trio, and an unfinished Symphony.
His major work is the Stabat Mater which remained unfinished at the time of his death.
Kuula also wrote a few dozen highly artistic piano works.
A simplified works list (by Joel Valkila) on the basis of Tero Tommila's Catalogue of Works:
- Op.1 Violin Sonata
- Op.2 Five Songs for Voice and Piano (also arranged as chamber works)
- Op.3a Five Pieces for Violin and Piano: I. Cradle Song, II. Nocturne, III. Folk Song (I), IV. Folk Song (II), V. Scherzino
- Op.3b Three Piano Works: I. Elegy, II. Wedding March, III. Little Gavotte
- Op.3c Incidental Music to "Isä ja Tytär"
- Op.4 Seven Songs for Male Choir
- Op.5 Festive March for Chorus and Orchestra (or Brass)
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- Op.6 Two Songs for Voice and Piano
- Op.7 Piano Trio
- Op.8 Two Songs for Voice and Piano
- Op.9 Ostrobothnian Suite No.1 for Orchestra: I. Pastorale, II. Folk Song, III. Ostrobothnian Dance, IV. Devil's Dance, V. Song of the Dusk (II. & III. also as arranged for Violin and Piano)
- Op.10 Prelude and Fugue for Orchestra
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- Op.11 Seven Songs for Chorus
- Op.12 'Merenkylpijäneidot' ("Sea-Bathing Maids") for Voice and Orchestra/Piano
- Op.13 Festive March for Orchestra/Piano
- Op.14 'Orjan poika' ("Son of a Slave") – Symphonic Legend for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus and Orchestra (also 3-movement Suite for Orchestra)
- Op.15 Cantata 'Kuolemattomuuden toivo' ("Hope for Immortality")
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- Op.16a Two Songs for Voice and Piano
- Op.16b Two Pieces for Organ: I. Prelude, II. Intermezzo
- Op.17a South Ostrobothnian Dance Suites I & II for Violin and Piano
- Op.17b Twelve South Ostrobothnian Folk Dances for Voice/Violin and Piano
- Op.17c Two Pieces for Violin and Piano: I. Scherzo, II. Melodia lugubre
- Op.18 'Impi ja pajarin poika' ("The Maiden and the Son of a Blacksmith") for Voice and Orchestra/Piano
- Op.19 Three Fairy-Tale Pictures for Piano
- Op.20 Ostrobothnian Suite No.2 for Orchestra: I. Tulopeli, II. Rain in the Forest, III. Menuet, IV. Dance of the Orphans, V. The Devils Making Magic Flames
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- Op.21 Three Songs for Chorus
- Op.22/1-2 Two Pieces for Cello and Orchestra: I. Chanson sans paroles, II. Elegy (Suru)
- Op.22/1-2 Two Pieces for Violin/Cello and Piano: I. Chanson sans paroles, II. Elegy (Suru)
- Op.22/3 Song for Voice and Piano
- Op.23 Four Songs for Voice and Piano
- Op.24 Four Songs for Voice and Piano
- Op.25 Stabat Mater for Chorus and Orchestra (Note: Not left unfinished as has been stated)
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- Op.26 Six Piano Pieces: I. Round Dance, II. Pastorale Atmosphere, III. Dance Improvisation, IV. Nocturne, V. Rauha (Adagio), VI. Funeral March
- Op.27a Eight Songs for Male Choir
- Op.27b Nine Songs for Male Choir
- Op.28/1-2 Two Pieces for Brass Orchestra: I. At the Mountain, II. A Tune
- Op.28/4 March of the Cudgelmen for Choir and Orchestra (or a capella)
- Op.29a Three Songs for Voice and Piano
- Op.29b Four Songs for Choir
- Op.29c Two Songs for Male Choir
- Op.30a Incidental Music to 'Kandaules'
- Op.30b Incidental Music to 'Medicit'
- Op.30c Incidental Music to 'Taikapeili' ("The Magic Mirror")
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- Op.31a Two Songs for Voice and Orchestra/Piano
- Op.31b Four Songs for Choir
- Op.32 Incidental Music to 'Meripoikia' ("The Sea Boys")
- Op.33 March of the Carburators for Piano [unfinished]
- Op.34a Seven Songs for Male Choir
- Op.34b Three Songs for Chorus
- Op.35 Three Songs Arrangements for Voice and Orchestra
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- Op.36 Symphony [unfinished]: Introduction
- Op.37 Two Song Transcriptions for Piano
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+ Six Posthumous Piano Pieces (Two unfinished)
+ Six Posthumous Orchestral Pieces (Two unfinished)
+ Twenty-Two Posthumous Chamber Pieces (Five unfinished)
+ Fourteen Songs (Three unfinished)
+ One Posthumous Cantata