Aarre Merikanto (1893–1958) was a Finnish composer deeply ingrained in the Nordic classical music tradition, taking his place as one of Finland's most innovative early 20th-century composers. Born in Helsinki, the son of the famous composer Oskar Merikanto, Aarre Merikanto's musical genius emerged in the shadow of his father's towering reputation. Despite this, he forged his own path, initially influenced by the Romantic tradition before moving into the realms of expressionism and modernism. His early works resonated with the lush tones of the late-Romantic period, but as he matured, his style evolved significantly, incorporating more dissonant harmonies and complex textures that were ahead of their time in Finland.

Merikanto's career unfolded in a turbulent era that saw the rise of modernist movements in art and music. His catalog includes operas, symphonies, chamber works, and concertos, and his pieces such as "Juha" and the three symphonies stand as substantial contributions to the orchestral and operatic repertoire. While his more avant-garde works were initially met with resistance and were seldom performed during his lifetime, his posthumous reputation has grown, highlighting the richly textured and emotionally charged dimensions of his compositions. The reconsideration of his legacy in the latter 20th century has resulted in an increased frequency of performances and recordings, with works like "Juha, Op. 25" and his piano concertos gaining particular admiration for their bold harmonic language and inventive orchestrations. Aarre Merikanto remains a pivotal figure in Finnish music history, bridging the cap between Sibelius and the modern Finnish composers who followed.

Genres

Early Modern Classical

Finnish Classical

Neoclassicism

Latest Release

Merikanto: Symphony No. 2 - Ekho

Aarre Merikanto

Ep - 5 Tracks - Released March 1, 2014