Joonas Kokkonen

Joonas Kokkonen studied at University of Helsinki. Training under Selim Palmgren and Ilmari Hannikainen is recorded. Aulis Sallinen, Paavo Heininen and Mikko Heiniö are recorded as having studied under Joonas Kokkonen. The recorded working language is Finnish. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are opera, symphony, chamber music and religious music. Places of work recorded in the authority are Helsinki. Employment is recorded with Sibelius Academy. Distinctions recorded are Wihuri Sibelius Prize, Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland and Medal of Liberty, 2nd Class.

• Name — Joonas Kokkonen • Born — 13 November 1921. • Birthplace — Iisalmi, Finland • Died — 2 October 1996 • Place of death — Järvenpää, Finland • Occupation — composer • Children — 5 • Known for — symphonies opera • Notable Works — Viimeiset kiusaukset

Kokkonen was born in Iisalmi, Finland, but spent the latter part of his life in Järvenpää at his home, which was known as Villa Kokkonen, designed by architect Alvar Aalto and completed in 1969. He served in the Finnish army during World War II with great distinction. He received his education at the University of Helsinki, and later at the Sibelius Academy, where he afterwards taught composition; his students there included Aulis Sallinen. In addition to his activities as a composer, he made a significant and powerful impact on Finnish cultural life, serving as a chairman and organizer, heading organizations such as Society of Finnish Composers, the Board of the Concert Centre, and others. His purpose was always to improve music education, as well as the status and appreciation of classical music as well as Finnish music. In the 1960s and early 1970s he won numerous prizes for his work. He was appointed to the Finnish Academy upon the death of Uuno Klami. His composition activity slowed down greatly after the death of his wife and increased alcohol consumption. A long planned Fifth Symphony was never written down. Kokkonen's date of death has been variously reported as having occurred on 1, 2, or 20 October 1996. According to Kokkonen's biographer Pekka Hako, the composer died in the early morning hours of October 2.

• Illustration — Kokkonen working on his First Symphony in 1959.

• The Last Temptations (1972–1975)

• Symphonies • Symphony No. 1 (1960) • Symphony No. 2 (1960–61) • Symphony No. 3 (1967) • Symphony No. 4 (1971) • Music for String Orchestra (1957) • Opus Sonorum (1964) • Symphonic Sketches (1968) • Inauguratio (1971) •...durch einem Spiegel (1977) • Il passagio (1987) • Interludes from The Last Temptations (1977)

• Cello Concerto (1969)

• Piano Trio (1948) • Piano Quintet (1951–53) • Duo for Violin and Piano (1955) • String Quartet No. 1 (1959) • Sinfonia da camera (1961–62) • String Quartet No. 2 (1966) • Wind Quintet (1973) • Cello Sonata (1975–76) • String Quartet No. 3 (1976) • Improvisazione for violin & piano (1982)

• Impromptu (1938) • Pielavesi Suite (1939) • Two Small Preludes (1943) • Piano Sonatina (1953) • Religioso (1956) • Bagatelles (1969)

• Lux aeterna (1974) • Hääsoitto (Wedding music) • Iuxta Crucem • Surusoitto (Funeral Music)

• Three Songs to Poems by Einari Vuorela (1947) • Illat Song Cycle (1955) • Three Children's Christmas Songs (1956–58) • Hades of the Birds, song cycle for soprano and orchestra (1959) • Two Monologues from The Last Temptations, for bass and orchestra (1975)

• Missa a capella (1963) • Laudatio Domini (1966) • Erekhteion, academic cantata (1970) • Ukko-Paavon Virsi for chorus (1978) • Requiem (1979–81) • With his fingers Väinämöinen played for male chorus (1985)

Joonas Kokkonen is recorded as having received Wihuri Sibelius Prize, Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland and Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland.