Heininen, Paavo (Johannes)

Heininen, Paavo (Johannes), significant Finnish composer and teacher; b. Helsinki, Jan. 13, 1938. After studying privately with Merilainen, he took courses with Merikanto, Rautavaara, Englund, and Kokkonen at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (composition diploma, 1960). He later took courses with Zimmermann in Cologne (1960–61), and with Persichetti and Steuermann at the Juilliard School of Music in N.Y. (1961–62), worked with Lutoslawski in Poland, and attended theory classes at the Univ. of Helsinki. In 1962-63 he was on the faculty of the Sibelius Academy. He then taught in Turku (1963–66) before resuming his position at the Sibelius Academy, where he was mentor to a generation of Finnish composers. He was also active as a pianist, conductor, and program annotator. He developed a highly complex compositional style, employing styles and techniques ranging from neo- Classicism to dodecaphonic and serial procedures culminating in a stream-of- consciousness modality.

Works

dramatic:Silkkirumpu (The Silken Drum), concerto for Singers, Players, Words, Images, and Movements (1981-83; Helsinki, April 5, 1984); Veitsi (The Knife), opera (1985-88; Helsinki, July 3, 1989). orch 4 syms.: No. 1 (1958; rev. 1960; Helsinki, March 24, 1964), No. 2, Petite symphonie joyeuse (Helsinki, Dec. 7, 1962), No. 3 (1969; rev. 1977; Helsinki, Jan. 24, 1978), and No. 4 (1971; Oslo, Sept. 4, 1972); Preambolo (1959); Tripartita (1959; Helsinki, Nov. 11, 1960); Concerto for Strings (1959; Helsinki, April 19, 1960; rev. 1963; Turku, May 30, 1963); Soggetto (1963; Helsinki, Jan. 12, 1965); Adagio…concerto per orchestra informa di variazioni…(1963; Helsinki, Jan. 24, 1964; rev. 1966; Camden Festival, Feb. 19, 1967); 3 piano concertos: No. 1 (1964; Turku, Jan. 23, 1965), No. 2 (Turku, Dec. 1, 1966), and No. 3 (1981; Helsinki, March 13, 1982); Arioso for Strings (Helsinki, May 21, 1967); Deux chansons for Cello and Orch. (1976; Tampere, Feb. 25, 1977); Tritopos (1977; Helsinki, March 7, 1978); Dia (Helsinki, Sept. 12, 1979); Attitude (Helsinki, Dec. 10, 1980); …floral view with maidens singing…for Chamber Orch. (1982; Kokkola, April 8, 1983); Dicta, “Nonette avec milieu” for 9 plus 14 Players in the Audience (Helsinki, March 25, 1983); Saxophone Concerto (Helsinki, Aug. 29, 1983); KauToKei for Double String Orch. (1985; Helsinki, Feb. 12, 1986); Cello Concerto (1985; Helsinki, Feb. 26, 1986); Lamentation and Praise (1995); 5 Lightnings (1997; Turku, Aug. 9, 1998). chamber Quintet for Flute, Saxophone, Piano, Vibraphone, and Percussion (1961); Musique d’été for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Harpsichord, Vibraphone, and Percussion (1963; rev. version, Tampere, Oct. 11, 1967); Discantus I for Alto Flute (1965), II for Clarinet (1969), and III for Alto Saxophone (1976); Poesie des pensées for Cello (1970); Cantilena I for Viola or Violin or Cello (1970), II for Cello (1970), and III for Violin (1976); Violin Sonata (1970; Helsinki, Feb. 18, 1973); Deux chansons for Cello and Piano (1974); String Quartet (1974; Helsinki, Jan. 21, 1976); Gymel for Bassoon and Tape (1978); Touching for Guitar (1978); Jeu I for Flute and Piano (1980) and II for Violin and Piano (1980); Beateth for Percussion (1982). keyboard pianoToccata (1956); Sonatine (1957); Libretto della primavera (1971); Sonata, Poesia squillante ed incandescente (1974); Préludes-études-poèmes (1974); Poesies-periphrases (1975); Triple aperçu d’une amie qui fut (1984); Cinq moments de jour (1984). organ:Oculus aquilae-trittico (1968); …irdisch gewesen zu sein…(1972); …des Säglichen Zeit…(1972). vocalCanto di Natale for Soprano and Piano (1961); Cantico delle creature for Baritone and Orch. (1968); Love’s Philosophy for Tenor and Piano (1968–73); The Autumn for Chorus (1970); Schatten der Erde for Mezzo-soprano and Piano (1973); …cor meum…for Chorus (1976–79); Reality for Soprano and 10 Instruments (1978); Virsi-81 (Hymn-81) for Chorus and Organ (1981); 4 Lullabies for Men’s Voices (1986). electroacoustic:Maiandros (1977).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire