Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

August 15, 1901

Death

:

May 5, 1960

 

Sulho Ranta was a Finnish composer who was born on December 23, 1901, in the town of Kemi, located in the northern part of Finland. He was the youngest of six children born to his parents, who were both musicians. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, Ranta was exposed to music and began to show an interest in it. Ranta's musical education began at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons from his father. He showed great talent and quickly progressed, and by the age of ten, he was already composing his own music. In 1915, Ranta's family moved to Helsinki, where he continued his musical studies at the Helsinki Conservatory. He studied composition with Erkki Melartin, who was one of the most prominent Finnish composers of the time. In 1921, Ranta graduated from the Helsinki Conservatory and began working as a freelance composer. He quickly gained recognition for his work, and in 1923, he won the first prize in a national composition competition for his piece "Kesäyö" (Summer Night). This success led to more commissions, and Ranta began to establish himself as one of the leading composers in Finland. Ranta's music was heavily influenced by Finnish folk music, and he often incorporated elements of it into his compositions. He was also influenced by the music of Jean Sibelius, who was one of the most famous Finnish composers of the time. Ranta's music was characterized by its lyricism, rich harmonies, and use of orchestral color. One of Ranta's most famous works is his "Sinfonia da Camera," which he composed in 1927. The piece is scored for a small orchestra and is divided into three movements. The first movement is marked by its lively rhythms and use of folk melodies. The second movement is a slow and lyrical adagio, while the third movement is a lively scherzo that features a prominent role for the percussion section. Another notable work by Ranta is his "Kalevala Suite," which he composed in 1930. The piece is based on the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, and is scored for a large orchestra. The suite is divided into four movements, each of which is based on a different story from the Kalevala. The piece is characterized by its use of folk melodies and its rich orchestration. Ranta's music was well-received both in Finland and abroad, and he was often invited to conduct his own works. In 1935, he was appointed as the conductor of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, a position he held until 1945. During this time, he continued to compose and conduct his own works, as well as works by other Finnish composers. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Ranta was also a teacher. He taught composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki from 1945 until his retirement in 1967. Many of his students went on to become successful composers in their own right. Ranta continued to compose throughout his life, and his later works were characterized by a more modernist style. He died on December 3, 1960, in Helsinki, at the age of 58. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important Finnish composers of the 20th century, and his music continues to be performed and recorded.

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