Olavi Pesons
Olavi Samuel Pesonen (born April 8, 1909 in Helsinki , † November 11, 1993 ) was a Finnish composer .
Pesonen studied with Ilmari Krohn and Leevi Madetoja at the University of Helsinki until 1932 . He continued his education at the Church Music Institute in Helsinki and studied from 1934 at the Conservatory, where he obtained a diploma in organ in 1938. He completed his training with Arthur Willner in Vienna (1937), Günther Ramin in Leipzig (1939), Joseph Marx in Salzburg (1943) and Mátyás Seiber in London (1947–52).
From 1933 to 1946 he worked as a music teacher in Helsinki, until 1956 he then taught at the Sibelius Academy . In addition, he was choir conductor from 1935 to 1941 and organist from 1946 to 1955. From 1956 to 1959 he was a lecturer at the Pedagogical University, after which he was a member of the Finnish school board. From 1962 to 1964 he was President of the Nordic Council of Composers .
Pesonen was originally in the Romantic tradition, but then crossed the boundaries of classical tonality with pronounced chromaticism, for example in the Fuga fantastica for orchestra from 1948. Like these, his two symphonies (1950 and 1952) were also strongly influenced by the fugue technique . His first symphony had great success at the Nordic Music Festival in Copenhagen in 1951. In addition to other orchestral works such as a suite and an overture, Pesonen also composed vocal music. Particular mention should be made of Ajat eellehen menevät , a piece for choir a cappella based on the Kalevala from 1935 and the sacred song cycle Gott! Do not throw me to your stones , which was written during his studies in London and published in 1953.
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| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Pesonen, Olavi |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Pesonen, Olavi Samuel (full name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Finnish composer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | April 8, 1909 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Helsinki |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 11, 1993 |