Short bio Joonas Kokkonen
Birthday:
1921 in Iisalmi
Died:
1996 in Järvenpää, Finland
Active:
1940s - 1970s
Genre:
Classical
Period:
Modern
Full biography Joonas Kokkonen
Joonas Kokkonen was a Finnish composer who was born on November 13, 1921, and died on October 3, 1996. He was widely regarded as one of the most important Finnish composers of the 20th century, known for his unique style that combined 12-tone techniques with traditional Finnish melodies.
Kokkonen began his musical education in Turku, Finland, and later studied in Helsinki with Aarre Merikanto and others. His early works were influenced by French composers such as Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, but he eventually developed his own distinctive voice.
During his career, Kokkonen wrote several notable works, including his Symphony No. 4, which was premiered in 1971 and is widely regarded as one of his masterpieces. In addition to his symphonies, he wrote several operas, including Viimeiset kiusaukset (The Last Temptations) and Orpokoti (The Orphanage), as well as chamber music and vocal works.
Kokkonen was also a professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he taught many of the leading Finnish composers of the next generation. He was awarded numerous prizes and honors during his lifetime, including the prestigious Pro Finlandia medal in 1963.
Despite his many accomplishments, Kokkonen remained humble and dedicated to his work until his death in 1996 at the age of 74. Today, he is remembered as one of Finland's most important composers, with a legacy that continues to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.
Compositions featuring Joonas Kokkonen
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Improvvisazione, for violin & piano | 5:17 min | Chamber Music | 1982 |
| 2 | Requiem for soloists, chorus & orchestra | 37:49 min | Choral | 1981 |
| 3 | Iuxta crucem, for organ | 7:12 min | Keyboard | 1979 |
| 4 | "... Durch einen Spiegel... ", for 12 strings & cembalo | 20:57 min | Chamber Music | 1977 |
| 5 | Interludes, for orchestra (from Viimeiset kiusaukest) | Orchestral | 1977 | |
| 6 | String Quartet No. 3 | 17:35 min | Chamber Music | 1976 |
| 7 | The Last Temptations (Viimeiset kiusaukest), opera | Opera | 1975 | |
| 8 | Symphony No. 4 | 21:36 min | Symphony | 1971 |
| 9 | Inauguratio, for orchestra | Orchestral | 1971 | |
| 10 | Cello Concerto | 22:30 min | Concerto | 1969 |
| 11 | Erekhtheion, cantata | Choral | 1969 | |
| 12 | Surusoitto (Funeral Music), for organ | 3:26 min | Keyboard | 1969 |
| 13 | Bagatelles (5), for piano | 12:34 min | Keyboard | 1968 |
| 14 | Symphonic Sketches, for orchestra | 14:40 min | Orchestral | 1968 |
| 15 | Hääsoitto (Wedding Music), for organ | 2:57 min | Keyboard | 1968 |
| 16 | Symphony No. 3 | 18:29 min | Symphony | 1967 |
| 17 | Opus Sonorum for orchestra | 11:13 min | Orchestral | 1965 |
| 18 | String Quartet No. 2 | 17:35 min | Chamber Music | 1964 |
| 19 | Sinfonia da Camera, for 12 strings | 17:23 min | Symphony | 1962 |
| 20 | Symphony No. 2 | 21:39 min | Symphony | 1960 |
| 21 | The Hades of the Birds (Lintujen tuonela, laulusarja), song cycle for mezzo-soprano & orchestra | 14:35 min | Vocal Music | 1958 |
| 22 | String Quartet No. 1 | 16:29 min | Chamber Music | 1958 |
| 23 | Music for strings | 28:22 min | Chamber Music | 1957 |
| 24 | Religioso, for piano | 1:19 min | Keyboard | 1956 |
| 25 | Sonatina, for piano | 8:10 min | Keyboard | 1953 |
| 26 | Piano Quintet, Op. 5 | 24:10 min | Chamber Music | 1951 |
| 27 | Piano Trio | 20:04 min | Chamber Music | 1948 |
| 28 | Pielavesi Suite, for piano | 16:28 min | Keyboard | 1939 |
| 29 | Impromptu, for piano | 3:27 min | Keyboard | 1938 |
| 30 | Sonata for cello & piano | 18:17 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 31 | Lux Aeterna for organ | 5:22 min | Choral | - |
| 32 | Little Preludes (2), for piano | 4:23 min | Keyboard | - |
| 33 | Laudatio Domini, for soprano & chorus | 12:38 min | Choral | - |
| 34 | Symphony No. 1 | 22:15 min | Symphony | - |
| 35 | Quintet for winds | 12:18 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 36 | Il Paesaggio | 9:54 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
Albums featuring Joonas Kokkonen
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Suvi Väyrynen, Joose Vähäsöyrinki, Klemetti Institute Chamber Choir, Jan Lehtola, Heikki Liimola – Requiem; Complete Works For Organ(CD, Album) | 2017 | Toccata Classics |
| 2 |  |
Melos Quartet - Bose • Stravinsky • Kelemen • Kokkonen • Wittinger – 20th Century String Quartets(CD, Album) | 2014 | SWR Music |
| 3 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Sakari Oramo, Radion Sinfoniaorkesteri – Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2, Opus Sonorum(CD, Album) | 2009 | Ondine |
| 4 |  |
Stravinsky - Kokkonen - Mediņš / KMH Symphony Orchestra – Rite Of Spring(CD, Album) | 2008 | KMH Förlaget |
| 5 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen - Marko Ylönen, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo – Cello Concerto / Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4(CD, ) | 2007 | Ondine |
| 6 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Arkadia Quartet – String Quartets(CD, Album) | 2006 | Fuga (2) |
| 7 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen Songs And Duo(CD, Album) | 2006 | Fuga (2) |
| 8 |  |
Schubert, Mahler, Kokkonen - The Helsinki Strings, Csaba Szilvay, Géza Szilvay – Death And The Maiden(CD, Album) | 2003 | Finlandia Records |
| 9 |  |
Paavo Berglund, Joseph Haydn, Joonas Kokkonen – Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia nro 92 G-duuri (Oxford)/ Sinfonia nro 99 es-duuri/ Joonas Kokkonen: "...durch einen Spiegel..."(CD, Stereo) | 2001 | Classica (4) |
| 10 |  |
Kalevi Kiviniemi, Jean Sibelius, Joonas Kokkonen, Taneli Kuusisto, Aimo Känkänen, Kari Karjalainen, Tapio Louhensalo – Visions - Finnish Organ Music(CD, ) | 2000 | Finlandia Records |
| 11 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom, Osmo Vänskä – The Four Symphonies, Requiem(2×CD, Album) | 1998 | Musical Heritage Society |
| 12 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Franz Schubert – Tuusula Lake Chamber Music Festival 1997(CD, ) | 1997 | Not On Label |
| 13 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen(2×CD, Album) | 1996 | Finlandia Records |
| 14 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom, Osmo Vänskä – The Four Symphonies, Requiem(2×CD, Album) | 1996 | BIS |
| 15 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Paavo Berglund, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra – Joonas Kokkonen: "...durch einen Spiegel...", Symphonies 1 & 4(CD, Album) | 1996 | Ondine |
| 16 |  |
Usko Meriläinen, Mikko Heiniö, Erkki Jokinen, Joonas Kokkonen - Avanti! Quartet, Jaana Kärkkäinen – Society Of Finnish Composers 50th Anniversary 1995 Vol. 1/3(CD, Stereo) | 1995 | Ondine |
| 17 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Satu Vihavainen, Walton Grönroos, Akateeminen Laulu, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Osmo Vänskä – Inauguratio / Symphony No.2 / Interludes From The Opera 'The Last Temptations' / Erekhtheion, Cantata(CD, Album) | 1991 | BIS |
| 18 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Soile Isokoski • Walton Grönroos, Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir, Lahti Symphony Orchestra • Ulf Söderblom – Symphony No.3 • Opus Sonorum • Requiem(CD, Album) | 1991 | BIS |
| 19 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Monica Groop, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom – Music For String Orchestra / The Hades Of The Birds, Song Cycle / Symphony No.1(CD, ) | 1991 | BIS |
| 20 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Sibelius Academy String Quartet, Tapani Valsta – String Quartets Nos. 1-3, Piano Quartet(CD, Album) | 1991 | BIS |
| 21 |  |
Durch Einen Spiegel - Wind Quintet - Sinfonia Da Camera - Il Paesaggio(CD, ) | 1991 | BIS |
| 22 |  |
Klami, Kokkonen, Meriläinen – Concerto! Finnish Concerto Collection(CD, Compilation) | 1991 | Finlandia Records |
| 23 |  |
Symphony No. 3 / Cello Concerto / Sonata For Cello And Piano(CD, Compilation) | 1991 | Finlandia Records |
| 24 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Espoo Chamber Orchestra, Paavo Pohjola, Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Baumgartner, Kati Hämäläinen – Joonas Kokkonen(CD, Compilation, Remastered) | 1991 | Finlandia Records |
| 25 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen - Osmo Vänskä, Torleif Thedéen, Lahti Symphony Orchestra – Sinfonisia Luonnoksia / Cello Concerto / Symphony No. 4(CD, ) | 1990 | BIS |
| 26 |  |
Trio Finnico, Einar Englund, Dmitri Shostakovich, Aaron Copland, Joonas Kokkonen – Contemporary Piano Trios(CD, ) | 1989 | Finlandia Records |
| 27 |  |
Einojuhani Rautavaara, Joonas Kokkonen, Jouni Kaipainen - The Jean Sibelius Quartet – Rautavaara: Quartet No. 2 • Kokkonen: Quartet No. 1 • Kaipainen: Quartet No. 3(CD, Stereo) | 1987 | Finlandia Records |
| 28 |  |
Einar Englund / Joonas Kokkonen – Sonata Per Violoncello E Pianoforte / Sonata Per Violoncello E Pianoforte(LP) | 1985 | Finlandia Records |
| 29 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen - The Academic Choral Society, Satu Vihavainen, Jorma Hynninen, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom – Requiem | 1985 | Finlandia Records |
| 30 |  |
Я. Сибелиус, Й. Кокконен - Симфонический Оркестр Финского Радио Дирижер Пааво Берглунд – Тапиола / Симфония № 3(LP, Stereo) | 1983 | Мелодия |
| 31 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Jean Sibelius-kvartetti, Seppo Kimanen, Juhani Lagerspetz – Jousikvartetto N:o 3 (String Quartet No 3), Sonata Per Violoncello E Pianoforte(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1982 | Fuga (2) |
| 32 |  |
Einar Englund / Joonas Kokkonen, Espoo Chamber Orchestra, Paavo Pohjola – Symphony No. 4 / Music For String Orchestra | 1982 | Finlandia Records |
| 33 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Baumgartner – >>...Durch Einen Spiegel...>> / Sinfonia Da Camera(LP) | 1981 | Finlandia Records |
| 34 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen – The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra Conducted By Leif Segerstam & Okko Kamu – Symphony Nr. 2 / Symphony Nr. 4 | 1981 | BIS |
| 35 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen / Joseph Haydn - Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Paul Freeman (3), Helsinki Chamber Orchestra, Okko Kamu, Arto Noras – Concerto For Cello And Orchestra / Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In C Major | 1979 | Finlandia Records |
| 36 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen - Martti Talvela, Ritva Auvinen, Ulf Söderblom – The Last Temptations | 1978 | Deutsche Grammophon |
| 37 |  |
Schumann / Debussy / Kokkonen – Live At Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival(LP, Album) | 1977 | Love Records (4) |
| 38 |  |
Bashmakov, Sonninen, Kokkonen, Segerstam – Ny Finsk Musik = Uutta Suomalaista Musiikkia = New Finnish Music(LP, Album) | 1974 | BIS |
| 39 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Paavo Heininen – Musik Fur Streicher/ Sinfonia Da Camera/ Arioso(LP, Album) | 1972 | Da Camera Magna |
| 40 |  |
Five Bagatelles, Missa a Cappella(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1971 | His Master's Voice |
| 41 |  |
Finlandia Quartet / Ralf Gothóni / Joonas Kokkonen / Aulis Sallinen – Piano Quintet 1953 / String Quartet No 3(LP, Stereo) | 1971 | EMI |
| 42 |  |
Я. Сибелиус / И. Кокконен - Камерный Оркестр Ленинградской Филармонии – Сельская Сюита / Две Пьесы / Камерная Симфония Для 12 Струнных Инструментов(LP, 10", Stereo) | 1970 | Мелодия |
| 43 |  |
Arne Nordheim • Joonas Kokkonen – Nordiska Musikdagar 1968 Nordic Music Days Vol. 1(LP, Stereo) | 1969 | His Master's Voice |
| 44 |  |
Sibelius / Kokkonen, Paavo Berglund Conducting The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra – Tapiola / Symphony No. 3 | 1969 | Decca |
| 45 |  |
Segerstam / Meriläinen / Rautavaara / Kokkonen – Contemporary Finnish Music 2(LP) | 1967 | Philips |
| 46 |  |
Т. Куусисто, С. Салонен, О. Мериканто, Я. Парвиайнен, Й. Кокконен, Э. Энглунд - Тауно Эйкяя – Финская Органная Музыка(LP, Stereo) | - | Мелодия |
| 47 |  |
Jean Sibelius, Väinö Raitio, Tauno Pylkkänen, Uuno Klami / Joonas Kokkonen – The Dryad - Felis Domestica - In Memoriam - Overture - Music For String Orchestra(LP) | - | Suomen Säveltäjät |
| 48 |  |
Elina Viitaila, Antti A. Pesonen, Joonas Kokkonen – Alvar Aalto's Villa Kokkonen(DVD, ) | - | Mestart Ltd |
| 49 |  |
Joonas Kokkonen, Janne Mertanen – Piano Works(CD, ) | - | Alba Records |
Videos featuring Joonas Kokkonen
Segerstam, Meriläinen, Rautavaara, Kokkonen – Contemporary Finnish Music 2
*DISCLAIMER* NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO. I DO NOT MONETIZE THIS VIDEO. If you own copyright to this music please contact me first I will take down immediately!
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