Toivo Kuula (1883-1918) was a Finnish composer. His birth region, Ostrobothnia, played an important role in his life and work.
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
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- Maisema (Landscape)
- Kansanlaulu (Folk song)
- Pohjalainen tanssi (Ostrobothnian dance)
- Pirun polska (Devil’s dance)
- 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
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- Tulopeli (The arrival of the wedding violinists)
- Metsässä sataa (It rains in the forest)
- Minuee (Minuet)
- Orpolasten polska (Polka of the orphaned children)
- Hiidet virvoja viritti (Daemons lighting up the will-o’-the-wisp)
BBC Concert Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins