Aulis Sallinen

Born

April 9, 1935 in Salmi, Finland (nowadays in Russia).

Basic biography

Sallinen studied at the Sibelius Academy, receiving his diploma in 1960. His teachers were Aarre Merikanto and Joonas Kokkonen. The next ten years he was administrator of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. Between 1965 and 1976 he has been a teacher at the Sibelius Academy, teaching counterpoint and composition. In 1976 the Finnish Government gave him the title of Professor of Arts, enabling him to devote himself entirely to composing. Sallinen is also a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Music (since 1979).
With his opera Ratsumies (The Horseman) he received the Nordic Council Music Prize in 1978. In 1983 he was co-recipient with Krzysztof Penderecki of the Sibelius Prize of the Wihuri Foundation.

On his music

Aulis Sallinen's music has been firmly rooted in tonality and melody. Apart from some experimental works, composed in the 1960's (like Mauermusik, where he uses quarter-tones), he generally is a traditional composer. He has been criticized and accused of writing music which is too 'audience-friendly', not looking for new paths and techniques.
This sense of tradition gives his music clarity and brightness as well as a firm structure. Nevertheless Sallinen's music is original and refreshing, and has a style of its own.

List of Works (not complete)

1956 - Two Mythical Scenes for Orchestra Op.1, orchestra: 2232-3230-11, strings. (12')
1958 - String Quartet nr.1 Op.2, string quartet (13')
1959-60 - Concerto for Chamber Orchestra Op.3, chamber orchestra: 1(1)121-1000-00, strings. (22')
1960 - String Quartet nr.2 Op.4 Canzona, string quartet (10')
1961 - Variations for Cello and Orchestra Op.5, solo cello and orchestra: 2121-1111-02, harp, strings. (18')
1962 - Kolme lyyrillistä laulua kuolemasta Op.6 (Three Lyrical Songs of Death), baritone solo, male choir, chamber orchestra: 4044-0420-11-0, celesta, strings: 7-0-5-4. Songtitles: 1. Kaikki on Jumala ... 2. Kun olis mulla ... 3. Kun ma kuolen ... . Text: Laulupuu (collection of Finnish folk poetry). (15')
1962-63 - Mauermusik Op.7, "1962", orchestra: 3232-3221-00, strings. (11')
1963 - Variations for Orchestra Op.8, orchestra: 2(1)222-2220-01, strings. (12')
1963 - Serenadi 1963 Op.9, two wind quartets: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba. (13')
1964 - Elegia Sebastian Knightille Op.10, cello. (5')
1964 - Metamorphosen from 'Elegia Sebastian Knightille Op.10', solo piano, chamber orchestra: 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, piano, strings. (20')
1965 - Quattro per Quattro Op.12, oboe/flute/clarinet, violin, cello, harpsichord. (17')
1965 - Cadenze Op.13, violin. (4')
1966 - Notturno Op.14, piano. (3')
1967 - Variations sur Mallarmé, ballet in one act, orchestra (2222-4321-12, harp,celesta, piano, strings). Libretto: Pentti Karhumaa. (24')
1968 - Violin Concerto Op.18, solo violin, orchestra: 2111-1110-02, harp, piano, strings. (16')
1968 - Chaka Melodrama for radio, mixed choir (12 singers minimum), 2 percussionists, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, 2 speakers, 7 tapes. Text: Léopold Sédar Seghor. (29')
1969 - String Quartet nr.3 Op.19 Aspekteja Peltoniemen Hintriikin surumarssista (Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March), string quartet (13')
1969 - Kaski laulua lapsille je pianolle Op.20 (Two Songs for Children and Piano), children's choir and piano. Songtitles: 1. Vintern var hård (Winter was hard); 2. Den första snön (The first snow). Text: Bo Carpelan. (2'+2')
1970 - Quatre Études Op.21, violin and piano. (6')
1970 - Chorali Op.22, 32 winds (4444-6442), percussion (02), harp, celesta. (12')
1970 - Chaconne Op.23, organ. (7')
1971 - Symphony nr.1 Op.24, orchestra: 3(1)33(1)3-4330-14, harp, strings. (16')
1971 - String Quartet nr.4 Op.25 Hiljaisia lauluja (Quiet Songs), string quartet. (14')
1971 - Sonata for Solo Cello Op.26, cello. (12')
1971 - Vantaa-fanfaari Op.27, wind band. (3')
1971 - Kieliopillinen sarja Op.28 (Suita Grammaticale), children's choir, strings, school instruments, kantele. Songtitles: 1. Die erste Deklination; 2. Intermezzo; 3. Quelle heure est-il?; 4. Etudes; 5. Dialogue. Text by the composer. (14')
1972 - Symphony nr.2 Op.29, Symphonic Dialogue, solo percussion player and orchestra: 2(1)22(1)2(1)-4321-01, harp, strings. (17')
1972-73 - Neljä laulua unesta Op.30 (Four Dream Songs) , soprano and orchestra: 3333-4330-12-1,celesta, strings. Songtitles: 1. Unesta tehty mies (Man made from sleep); 2. Kehtolaulu kuolleelle ratsumiehelle (Cradle Song for a dead horseman); 3. On kolme unta sisäkkäin (Three dreams, each within each); 4. Ei mikään virta (There is no stream); Nrs.1,2 and 4 are from Ratsumies Op.32.. Text: Paavo Haavikko. Second version is for soprano and piano. (14')
1973-74 - Ratsumies Op.32 (The Horseman), Opera in three acts, 8 characters, choir and orchestra: 3(1)33(1)3-4331-13, harp, celesta, bells, strings. Libretto: Paavo Haavikko. Other version for smaller orchestra exists: 2222-4221-11-1, celesta, strings. (115')
1974 - Lauluja mereltä Op.33 (Songs from the Sea), children's choir a capella. Songtitles: 1.Älä tuule, tyttö tuuli (Sea Prayer)); 2.Sympaatti (Shipshape); 3.En minä meryttä kiitä (Sea Danger); 4. Balladi (Ballad); Various texts. (9')
1974 - Metamorfora Op.34, cello and piano. (7')
1975 - Symphony nr.3 Op.35, orchestra: 4(2)34(1)3(1)-4331-12, harp, piano, celesta, strings. (27')
1975 - Ritornello Op.36, violin. (5')
1975 - Canto Op.37, violin. (4')
1975 - Kamarimusiikki I Op.38 (Chamber Music I), string orchestra. (13')
1975/77 - Simppeli Simme ja Hamppari Hamme Op.40.a and 40.b Simple Simon and his Dog, baritone and piano (Op.40.a, composed in 1975) or mixed choir (Op.40.b, composed in 1977). Text by the composer. (4')
1976 - Kamarimusiikki II Op.41 (Chamber Music II), solo alto flute, string orchestra. (14')
1976 - Cello Concerto Op.44, solo cello, orchestra: 2(1)22(1)2-4220-12, harp, celesta, strings. A second version is for cello and piano (piano arrangement by John Blood). (23')
1976-78 - Punainen viiva Op.46 (The Red Line), Opera in two acts, 15 characters, choir, orchestra: 3(2)23(2)2(1)-4331-12, harp, celesta, strings. Libretto by the composer from the novel by Ilmari Kianto. (115')
1976-78 - Onko Suomessa kevät?, mixed choir. Adaptation from Punainen viiva Op.46. Text: Ilmari Kianto. (6')
1978 - Dies Irae Op.47, soprano, bass, male choir, orchestra: 3(1)33(1)3(1)-4331-13-1, strings (without violins). Text by Arvo Turtiainen. (18')
1978 - Mies, ei-mikään, ei-kukaan Op.48 (Man, is-nothing, is-no-one), baritone and piano. Text by Paavo Haavikko. (4')
1978 - Kansanlaulun tapaan, male choir or children's choir and piano. Text: Eila Kivikk'aho. (2')
1979 - Symphony nr.4 Op.49, orchestra: 3(2)33(1)3(1)-4331-13, harp, celesta, strings. (22')
1980 - Songs Around a Song Op.50, folk songs for children's choir, children's choir. Songtitles: 1. Italiano; 2. Sakura; 3. Tein minä pillin pajupuusta; 4. Joshua fought the Battle of Jerico. (8')
1981 - Aspekteja Peltoniemen Hintriikin surumarssista (Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March), string orchestra. Adaptation from String Quartet nr.3 Op.19. (13')
1983 - Shadows Op.52, Prelude for Orchestra: 3(1)33(1)3(1)-4330-14, harp, piano, strings. Based on the opera Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan Op.53. (11')
1983 - Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan Op.53 (The King Goes Forth to France), A chronicle of the coming of the new Ice Age, opera in three acts. 10 Charaters, chorus, orchestra: 3(2)33(2)3(1)-4331-15, harp, celesta, strings as well as 3 offstage trumpets+1 percussionist. Libretto: Paavo Haavikko. (130')
1983 - String Quartet nr.5 Op.54 Mosaiikinpaloja (Pieces of Mosaic), string quartet. (25')
1983 - Rauta-aika-sarja Op.55 (The Iron Age Suite), soprano, children's choir, mixed choir, orchestra: 3(1)33(2)3(1)-4331-14-1, celesta, piano, strings. (29')
1984 - The Beaufort Scale Op.56 Humoresque for Mixed Choir, mixed choir. Text based on the wind velocity scale. (5')
1985 - Symphony nr.5 Op.57, Washington Mosaics, orchestra: 4(2)44(2)4(1)-6441-14, harp, organ, strings. (37')
1986 - Kamarimusiikki III Op.58 (Chamber Music III), The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote, solo cello and string orchestra (minimum 4-3-2-2-1). (20')
1986 - Fanfare Op.59, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, 1 percussionist. (2')
1987 - Anthems for Ants Op.60, (Hymni muurahaisille), children's choir. Text by the composer. (3')
1986-88 - Kullervo Op.61, opera in two acts. 13 Characters, choir, orchestra: 3(1)3(1)3(2)3(1)-4331-13, harp, DX7, strings. Libretto by the composer derived from the epic text Kalevala and from the play by Aleksis Kivi. (145')
1989 - From a Schoolchild's Diary Op.62, double children's orchestra (violins and cellos). (16')
1989 - Sunrise Serenade Op.63, 2 trumpets, piano and string orchestra. (6')
1989 - En del av det hela Op.64 (a part from the whole), mixed choir. Text: Elmer Diktonius. (6')
1989-90 - Symphony nr.6 Op.65, From a New Zealand Diary, orchestra: 3(2)3(1)3(2)3(1)-4331-11, harp, celesta, strings. (40')
1990 - Echoes from a Play Op.66, oboe and string quartet. (14')
1991 - From a Swan Song Op.67, cello and piano. (13')
1991-93 - Palatsi Op.68 (The Palace), opera in three acts. 16 Characters, choir, orchestra: 2(1)22(1)2(1)-4221-12, harp, piano, strings. Libretto: Irene Dische and Hans Magnus Enzensberger. (120')
1994 - Elämän ja kuoleman lauluja Op.69 (Songs of Life and Death), baritone, choir, orchestra: 2(1)222(1)-4321-12-1, celesta, strings. Text by Lassi Nummi. (40')
1994 - At the Palace Gates (Op.70?), An overture to the opera 'Palatsi Op.68', orchestra: 2(1)222(1)-4221-12-1, strings. (7')
1994-95 - Flute Concerto Op.70 Harlekiini, solo flute, chamber orchestra: 0000-2220-03, harp, celesta, piano, 8 violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos. (22')
1996 - Symphony nr.7 Op.71, The Dreams of Gandalf, orchestra: 3(1)33(1)3(1)-4331-13-1, celesta, strings. (25')
1996 - Palace Rhapsody Op.72. Based on the music of the opera Palatsi Op.68. Orchestra: 3(1)33(clarinet in E flat and tenor saxophone; bass clarinet and alto saxophone; baritone saxophone)3(1)- 4331-13-1, piano. (16')
1996 - Hold Fast Your Dreams Op.73; 2 versions: I. SSA and children's choir (SSA); II. boy's choir/ mixed choir. Text by Louise Driscoll. (5')
1997 - Introduction and Tango Overture Op.74. 3 Versions: I. Piano quintet. II. Piano and String Orchestra (Op.74.b). III. Piano and String quintet. (10')
1997 - Ouverture Solennel Op.75, orchestra: 3(1)33(1)3(1)-4331-10-1, strings. (10')
1998-99 - Kuningas Lear (Op.76?) (King Lear), opera. 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, 5 tenors, 5 baritones, bass-baritone, 4 basses, mixed choir, orchestra: 3333-4331-12-1, strings. Libretto by the composer after Shakespeare. Premiere scheduled for September 15, 2000. (under 150')
1999 - Oluen Synty Op.77, mixed choir. Text from the Kalevala and Kanteletar. (10')

Recordings

Symphonies nrs.1&3, Chorali, Cadenze, Elegy for Sebastian Knight, String Quartet nr.3 on BIS-CD-41
Chamber Music I&II, Quattro per Quattro, Chaconne, Vintern var hård from Op.20, Sakura from Op.50, Four Dream Songs, Simple Simon and his Dog on BIS-CD-64
Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March, for string orchestra on BIS-CD-461
Sunrise Serenade, Symphonies nrs.2&6 on BIS-CD-511
Variations for Orchestra, Violin Concerto, Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March, Chamber Music III on BIS-CD-560
Symphonies nrs.4&5, Shadows on BIS-CD-607
Chamber Music II on BIS-CD-687
Lauluja mereltä on Finlandia 1576-59921-2
Ratsumies on Finlandia 1576-51101-2
The Red Line on Finlandia 1576-51102-2
Shadows, Symphonies nrs.4&5, Sunrise Serenade, Cello Concerto, Chamber Music I&III, Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March on Finlandia 4509-99966-2
Vintern var hård from Op.20, Suita Grammaticale on Ondine 786-2
Kullervo on Ondine 780-3T
String Quartets nrs.1-5 on Ondine 831-2
Songs of Life and Death on Ondine 844-2
Topi's aria from 'The Red Line' on Ondine 944-2
Palatsi on Koch 3-665 2 CD
Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March, Chamber Music I, II, III, Sunrise Serenade on Naxos 8.553747
Metamorfora, Cadenze, Ritornello, Canto, Sonata for Cello, Notturno, Elegy for Sebastian Knight, Quatre Etudes, From a Swan Song on Naxos (Finland) 8.553759
Concerto for Flute and Orchestra on Naxos 8.554185
Laulujä mereltä on Itä-Helsingin Musiikkiospiton Lapsikuoron Tuki ry.IHTCD398 and on Selestina SKCD 197
Onko Suomessa kevät from 'The Red Line' on Cantus Mercurialis CMCD 497
The Iron Age Suite on Classica CL 138
Vintern var hård from Op.20 on Nonesuch 7559-79181-2
Chaconne on MDG 3387
Quattro per Quattro on Fifty Fifty Records FFCD 1014
The Beaufort Scale on Finngospel FGCD 1079 and on Polyteknikojen Kamarikuoro Dominante OKKCD0496

LINKS:

FIMIC (The usual excellent and informative Finnish MIC page)

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