Pesonen, Olavi

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Pesonen, Olavi

Pesonen, Olavi,Finnish composer and teacher; b. Helsinki, April 8, 1909; d. there, Nov. 11, 1993. He studied with Ilmari Krohn and Leevi Madetoja at the Univ. of Helsinki (M.A., 1932), and also took courses with Arthur Willner in Vienna and Seiber in London, and studied organ with Ramin in Leipzig. He then devoted himself to teaching and composing in Helsinki. His works follow along traditional lines.

Works

dramatic:Havahtuminen (Awakening), melodrama for Narrator and Orch. (1936); Huutokauppa (Auction), music to A. Leinonen’s play (1949). orch.:Pieni sarja (Little Suite; 1936); Juhla-alkusoitto (Festive Overture; 1938; rev. 1946); Fuga fantastica (1948; based on the organ piece, 1939); Tanhusoitto (Folk Dances; 1949); 2 syms. (1949, 1953); Suite ancienne (1978); Pieces for Strings, after Finnish folk songs (1980); In dulci jubilo for Strings (1981). other: Various works for Chorus and Orch., including the cantatas Ah autuus suuri (O Great Bliss; 1939; rev. 1978), Koulukantaatti (School Cantata; 1941), and Silenivät pitkospuut (The Causeway Became Smoother; 1966); a cappella choruses; songs; organ music, including Fuga fantastica (1939; also for Orch., 1948) and Jesu dulcis memoria (1981).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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