Between Dreams and Reality

He studied with Jean Sibelius and a visit to Paris and acquaintance with the music of Debussy and Dukas had a significant impact on his technique and compositions. Back in Ostrobothnia, he collected folk songs from the region that he incorporated into his works.

Playlist:

1. Toivo Kuula: Eteläpohjalainen sarja (South Ostrobothnian Suite) no 1 op. 9

1. 1. Maisema (Landscape)
   2. Kansanlaulu (Folk song)
   3. Pohjalainen tanssi (Ostrobothnian dance)
   4. Pirun polska (Devil’s dance)
   5. Hämärän laulu (Song of dusk)

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Leif Segerstam

2. Toivo Kuula: Merenkylpijäneidot (The sea-bathing nymph), op. 12 (words Eino Leino)
BBC Concert Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins en Susan Gritton, sopraan

3. Toivo Kuula: Eteläpohjalainen sarja (South Ostrobothnian Suite) no 2 op. 20

1. 1. Tulopeli (The arrival of the wedding violinists)
   2. Metsässä sataa (It rains in the forest)
   3. Minuee (Minuet)
   4. Orpolasten polska (Polka of the orphaned children)
   5. Hiidet virvoja viritti (Daemons lighting up the will-o’-the-wisp)

BBC Concert Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins