Madetoja, Leevi (Antti)

Madetoja, Leevi (Antti), outstanding Finnish composer; b. Oulu, Feb. 17, 1887; d. Helsinki, Oct. 6, 1947. He was educated at the Univ. of Helsinki (M.A., 1910) and studied composition with Sibelius at the Helsinki Music Inst. (diploma, 1910). He then took courses with d’Indy in Paris (1910–11) and R. Fuchs in Vienna (1911–12) and in Berlin. After serving as deputy conductor of the Helsinki Phil. (1912–14) and as conductor of the Vyborg Music Soc. Orch. (1914–16), he taught at the Helsinki Music Inst. (1916–38). He was also music critic of the Helsingen Sanomat (1916–32), and in 1928 became a lecturer in music at the Univ. of Helsinki. In 1917 he founded the Finnish Musicians’ Assn., with which he remained involved until his death. He was awarded a state composer’s pension in 1919. He was one of Finland’s leading composers; his music for the stage and his symphonic works are particularly notable.

Works

(all 1^st perf in Helsinki): dramatic: Opera: Pohjalaisia (The Bothnians; 1923; Oct. 25, 1924); Juha (1934; Feb. 17, 1935). ballet-pantomime:Okon-Fuoko (Feb. 12,1930). orch.:Symphonic Suite (Sept. 26, 1910); Concert Overture (1911); Tanssinaky (Dance Vision; 1911–19); Kullervo, symphonic poem (Oct. 14, 1913); 3 syms.: No. 1 (Feb. 10, 1916), No. 2 (Dec. 17, 1918), and No. 3 (April 8, 1926); Huvinäytelmäalkusoitto (Comedy Overture; April 12, 1923). chamber: Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1910); Violin Sonatina (1913); Lyric Suite for Cello and Piano (1922); piano pieces, including the suite Kuoleman puutarha (Garden of Death; 1919). vocal: Much choral music; many songs.

Bibliography

K. Tuukkanen, L. M. (Helsinki, 1947); L.M.: Teokset—Works (1982); K. Karjalainen, L. M. oopperat Pohjalaisia ja Juha: Teokset, tekstit ja kontekstit (Helsinki, 1993).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire