Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Finland

Birth

:

1955

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

Olli Kortekangas is a Finnish composer of classical music, born on March 16, 1955, in Turku, Finland. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Kortekangas started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and the guitar. He studied music at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he received his diploma in composition in 1981. Kortekangas has composed a wide range of works, including orchestral, chamber, vocal, and choral music. His music is known for its lyrical and expressive qualities, as well as its use of traditional Finnish folk melodies and rhythms. He has also been influenced by the music of other composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, and Stravinsky. One of Kortekangas's most notable works is his opera "Isän Tyttö" (Father's Daughter), which premiered in 1995 at the Finnish National Opera. The opera tells the story of a young woman who is torn between her love for her father and her desire for independence. The music is characterized by its use of Finnish folk melodies and rhythms, as well as its dramatic and emotional intensity. Another significant work by Kortekangas is his "Migrations" for orchestra, which was commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2006. The piece is inspired by the idea of migration, both in terms of physical movement and emotional change. The music is characterized by its use of shifting rhythms and textures, as well as its evocative and atmospheric qualities. Kortekangas has also composed a number of works for choir, including his "Missa Solemnis" for mixed choir and orchestra, which premiered in 2010. The piece is a setting of the traditional Latin Mass, and is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and soaring melodies. Kortekangas has also written a number of works for solo voice, including his "Lauluja meren ääreltä" (Songs from the Sea), which features settings of Finnish poetry about the sea. In addition to his work as a composer, Kortekangas has also been active as a teacher and lecturer. He has taught composition at the Sibelius Academy, as well as at the University of Helsinki and the Turku Conservatory. He has also given lectures and workshops on music composition and analysis in Finland and abroad. Kortekangas has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer, including the Finnish State Prize for Music in 2002 and the Pro Finlandia Medal in 2015. His music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of Finland's leading contemporary composers. Overall, Olli Kortekangas is a highly respected and influential composer of classical music, known for his lyrical and expressive style, his use of traditional Finnish folk melodies and rhythms, and his ability to create music that is both emotionally powerful and intellectually engaging. His works continue to be performed and admired by audiences and musicians alike, and his legacy as a composer and teacher is sure to endure for many years to come.

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