Composer of the Month 2/2012: Leevi Matedoja (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Finland 17.2.1987 The video shows the bass-baritone Juha Hakulinen, accompanied by Vesa Kajava with the Finnish Christmas song "Arkihuolesi kaikki Heita" composed by Leevi Madetoja (recorded on 20/09/2010 in the Church of Siilinjärvi / Finland). The Finnish composer Leevi Antti Madetoja was born in Oulu on 17 February 1887. He studied in Helsinki and from 1910 to 1912 in Paris, Vienna and Berlin. After returning to his homeland, he taught at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. Madetoja was the foremost pupil of Jean Sibelius and one of the most important representatives of the Finnish late Romanticism. His style initially was primarily influenced by Richard Strauss. In 1923, Madetoja composed the Finnish National Opera "Pohjolaisia" and subsequently found a lighter, French-inspired style, which was mainly reflected in the 3rd Symphony and the ballet suite "Okon Fuoko". Leevi Madetoja died in Helsinki on 6 October 1947. In February 2012 his birthday comes up for the 125th time. More composer can be found in the members only section