Saikkola, Lauri

Saikkola, Lauri , Finnish violinist and composer; b. Vyborg, March 31, 1906; d. Helsinki, Sept. 24, 1995. He studied violin at the local music school (1919–28) and composition privately with Akimov and Funtek (1930–34). He was a violinist in the Viipuri (Vyborg) Phil. (1923–34) and the Helsinki Phil. (1934–65). His extensive compositional output followed along traditional lines.

Works

DRAMATIC : Opera: Taivaaseen menija, radio opera (1950); Ristin (1957–58). ORCH .: 1500m.(1933); Lasten maailmasta for Strings (1933); 10 syms. (1938, 1946, 1949, 1951, 1958, 1982, 1984, 1984, 1985, 1989); Pieni elegia for Strings (1939); Kuvia Karjalasta (1940–46); Pieni sävelmä for Strings (1946); Canzone for Strings (1948); Overtura del dramma (1949); Music for Strings (1950); Violin Concerto (1952); Concerto da camera for Piano and Chamber Orch. (1957); Musica sinfonica (1966); Concertino for Clarinet and Strings (1968); Raasepori (1971); Concerto miniaturo for Viola and Strings (1979); 12 sinfoniettas (1983–90); Tripartita for Strings (1984). chamber : 5 string quartets (1931, 1938, 1983, 1984, 1985); Divertimento for Wind Quartet (1968); Wind Quintet (1968); Notturno for Violin and Piano (1977); piano pieces. VOCAL : Laulusarja for Soprano and Orch. (1946); Kevät merellä for Tenor or Soprano and Orch. (1977); Unen kaivo for Voice and Orch. (1985); many mixed and men’s choral pieces; numerous pieces for Voice and Piano.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire