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Joonas KokkonenFinnish composer, pianist
Date of Birth: 13.11.1921
Country:  Finland |
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Joonas Kokkonen
Joonas Kokkonen was a Finnish composer, pianist, and member of the Finnish Academy of Science (1963). He is considered one of the most significant Finnish composers of the 20th century.
Early Life and Education
During World War II, Kokkonen served in the Finnish army. He studied musicology at the University of Helsinki (1940-1941 and 1945-1949), graduating from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki in 1950 with a degree in piano performance. He primarily studied composition independently.
Musical Career
Kokkonen wrote music criticism from 1947-1950 and was the editor-in-chief of the New Music Magazine (Uuden Musikklehden). His debut as a composer came in 1948 with a piano trio. He taught music composition at the Sibelius Academy from 1948-1963, becoming a professor in 1959. His students included renowned Finnish composers such as Aulis Sallinen, Erkki Salmenhaara, Paavo Heininen, Pehr Nordgren, and Kaija Saariaho. From 1965-1971, Kokkonen served as the chairman of the Finnish Composers' Union.
As a pianist, Kokkonen frequently performed his own works in concerts.
Musical Style
Kokkonen's music draws heavily on Finnish musical folklore. He was influenced by Jean Sibelius, Johannes Brahms, Béla Bartók, Igor Stravinsky, Paul Hindemith, Alban Berg, and the music of the Baroque and Renaissance periods.
