Selim Palmgren was a Finnish composer and pianist, with his most productive period being in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born on February 16, 1878, in the coastal town of Pori, Finland, Palmgren was often referred to as the "Chopin of the North," a testament to his skill and contributions to music, particularly in the realm of piano. He received his early music education in Helsinki, continuing his studies in Berlin and Leipzig, where he absorbed elements of Romanticism that profoundly shaped his compositional style.

Palmgren's works for the piano are characterized by their lyrical beauty, nationalistic flavors, and technical finesse—mirroring the Finnish landscape and culture. Regarded as one of the most significant Finnish composers after Jean Sibelius, Palmgren composed over 300 pieces, with a considerable portion being solo piano works. His legacy includes five piano concertos, several song collections, and chamber music pieces but it is his solo piano music that stands as his most enduring contribution to the classical repertoire. His "Complete Piano Works" series is a testament to the breadth of his compositions, showcasing the finesse and depth of his writing for the instrument. He passed away on December 13, 1951, but his music continues to captivate audiences and holds a revered place in Finnish and international classical music circles.

Genres

Early Modern Classical

Finnish Classical

Impressionism

Related Artists

Frédéric Chopin

Ludwig van Beethoven

Erik Satie

Claude Debussy

Johannes Brahms

Robert Schumann

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Franz Schubert

Edvard Grieg

Maurice Ravel

Jean Sibelius

Oskar Merikanto

Latest Release

Palmgren: Complete Piano Works, Vol. 8

Selim Palmgren•

Jouni Somero

Album - 37 Tracks - Released October 11, 2024