Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1976

 

Juho Kangas was a Finnish composer and conductor, born on May 28, 1949, in Oulu, Finland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. Kangas began his musical studies at the Oulu Conservatory, where he studied piano, violin, and composition. He later continued his studies at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he studied composition with Aulis Sallinen and Einojuhani Rautavaara. Kangas began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras in Finland, including the Oulu Symphony Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. He also served as the principal conductor of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra from 1985 to 1993. As a composer, Kangas was known for his use of traditional Finnish folk music and his incorporation of elements of jazz and rock music into his compositions. His works often featured unconventional instrumentation, such as the use of electric guitar and synthesizers in his orchestral works. One of Kangas's most famous works is his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in 1983. The symphony is a tribute to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and features elements of Sibelius's music, including the use of the famous "swan theme" from Sibelius's Fifth Symphony. The symphony also features a prominent role for the electric guitar, which Kangas uses to create a unique sound that blends elements of rock and classical music. Another notable work by Kangas is his Concerto for Electric Guitar and Orchestra, which was premiered by the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra in 1991. The concerto features a virtuosic solo part for the electric guitar, which is accompanied by a full orchestra. The work is notable for its use of unconventional harmonies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of elements of jazz and rock music. Kangas's other works include several chamber music pieces, such as his String Quartet No. 1 and his Sonata for Violin and Piano. He also composed several works for choir, including his Missa Brevis, which was premiered by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir in 1987. In addition to his work as a composer and conductor, Kangas was also a respected music educator. He taught composition and orchestration at the Sibelius Academy from 1983 to 1993 and served as the rector of the Oulu Conservatory from 1993 to 2000. Kangas's contributions to Finnish music were recognized with several awards and honors. In 1991, he was awarded the Finnish State Prize for Music, and in 1993, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal for his contributions to Finnish culture. He was also a member of the Finnish Academy of Arts and Letters. Sadly, Kangas passed away on December 18, 2019, at the age of 70. However, his legacy as a composer and conductor continues to live on through his music, which remains an important part of the Finnish classical music tradition.

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