Oskar Merikanto
Illustration — Merikanto (c. 1920) Oskar Merikanto (born Frans Oskar Ala-Kanto; 5 August 186817 February 1924) was a Finnish composer, music critic, pianist, and organist. 1), Romance (Romanssi, Op.
Also recorded as Oskar Mattson · Frans Oskar Merikanto · Frans Oskar Mattson
Oskar Merikanto

https: finna.fi/Record/museovirasto.0046C5E0CA61FD7AE5AAD96A935377A6 (cropped, white balanced) · CC BY 4.0
- Full name
- Frans Oskar Mattsson.
- Born
- 1868 · Helsinki.
- Died
- 1924 · Oitti.
- Nationality
- Finland · Grand Duchy of Finland
- Occupation
- organist · pianist · conductor · composer
- Fields
- classical · opera · art song · incidental
- Education
- University of Music and Theatre Leipzig
- Teachers
- Lauri Hämäläinen · Gustav Schreck · Albert Becker
- Languages
- Finnish
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Illustration — Merikanto (c. 1920) Oskar Merikanto (born Frans Oskar Ala-Kanto; 5 August 186817 February 1924) was a Finnish composer, music critic, pianist, and organist. 1), Romance (Romanssi, Op.
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Oskar Merikanto (1868–1924) was a composer, conductor and organist, among other activities, a national of Finland and the Grand Duchy of Finland. The composer was born Frans Oskar Mattsson in Helsinki and died in Oitti.
Oskar Merikanto was educated at University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. The composer worked in Saint John's Church.
The work spans art song, classical and incidental, among others. Languages used include Finnish.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
12), Summer Evening Idyll (Kesäillan idylli, Op. 16/2), Valse lente (Op. 33), and Idyll (Idylli, Op. Merikanto also wrote three operas: The Maiden of the North (Pohjan neiti, 1898), which retains a degree of historical significance as the first opera composed to a Finnish libretto; The Death of Elina (Elinan surma, 1910); and Regina von Emmeritz (1920). However, Merikanto's operas have entered neither the domestic nor the international repertoires.
Oskar Merikanto studied at University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. Training under Lauri Hämäläinen, Gustav Schreck and Albert Becker is recorded. The recorded working language is Finnish. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are classical, opera, art song and incidental. Places of work recorded in the authority are Saint John's Church.
He was born in Helsinki, the son of Frans Ferdinand Ala-Kanto (his surname is also reported as Aittomäki) from Jalasjärvi, South Ostrobothnia and Anna Helena Merikanto (Tammelin). Frans got a Swedish-language surname, Mattsson, when he joined the Finnish army. His father had changed the family name from Ala-Kanto to Merikanto in 1882. Meri means "sea" and refers to his voyage from Vaasa to Helsinki; Kanto refers to his origins from the estate Kanto. • Illustration — Young Merikanto He studied for some time at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, where his teachers were Carl Reinecke, Theodor Coccius, Robert Papperitz, Willy Rechenberg and Gustav Schreck. He was notable for his variety of talents – he gave concerts all around Finland, performing on the piano and organ, conducting orchestras, and composing original music. Some of his most beloved compositions are Där björkarna susa, the waltz Kesäilta (Summer Evening Waltz) and the Valse lente, Op. 33. • Illustration — Portrait of Merikanto by Albert Gebhard in 1903 Merikanto's style is reminiscent of Finnish folk songs, but has its basis in Italian bel canto. He died in Hausjärvi-Oitti.
Personal life
Personal life
He married Elise "Liisa" Häyrynen in 1892. They had one son, Aarre Merikanto, a noted Finnish composer.
Works
Works
Source
Piano
Piano
• Concert-Walzer OM 018 • Erinnerung OM 036 • Fantasia (Tuoll’ on mun kultani) OM 037 (piano four hands) • Fest-Marsch OM 040 • Grande valse OM 044 • Hiljaa illan hämärässä (additional two Solo Voices) • Hopeahääpäivän valjetessa OM 055 • Jesu, elon autuuteni I OM 071 • Jesu, elon autuuteni II Om 071 • Canon in A major OM 081 • Canon in B major (Canon in Oberquarte) OM 082 • Canon in E major (Canon in Unterquinte) OM 084 • Canon in E major (Canon in Unterterz) OM 085 • Canon in E major OM 086 • Canon in E major OM 087 • Canon in F major OM 088 • Canon in G major OM 089 • Canon in G major OM 090 • Kaipaus OM 092 • Kangasalan tunnelmaa OM 095 • Karjalan jääkärien marssi OM 101 • Kirkkoaikana OM 114 (piano four hands) • Kolja-vals OM 117 • Liebestraum OM 148 • Lied ohne Worte OM 149 • Maa, suuri ja avara I OM 156 • Maa, suuri ja avara II OM 156 • Me sinua, Jesu, ylistämme OM 159 • Molto Allegro Scherzando OM 174 • Parolan marssi OM 202 • Phantasiestück OM 204 • Pianokappale OM 205 • Porilaisten marssi OM 208 • Porin rykmentin marssi OM 209 • Rakas muisto • Ruusu OM 226 • Scherzo • Scherzo G-Duuri • Serenade OM 233 • Syntymäpäivämarssi OM 262 • Syntymäpäiväpoloneesi OM 263 • Taivaasta ilosanoman OM 268 • Tapanien tanssi OM 272 • Tempo di Polonaise OM 274 • Toivo OM 277 • Trauermarsch OM 279 • Träumerei I OM 280 • Träumerei II OM 280 • Ukko Noak OM 293 • Valkoisen kaartin marssi OM 300 • Valse lente, Op. 33 • Yksinään • Yli Atlantin, Op. 28 • Romanssi, Op. 12 • Pohjan neiti (The Maiden of the North) (1898) • Nälkämaan laulu (The Song of the Hungry) (1911)
Organ
Organ
• Choral mit Vorspiel und Zwischenspiel I OM 190 • Choral mit Vorspiel und Zwischenspiel II OM 190 • Choral mit Vorspiel und Zwischenspiel III OM 190 • Der doppelte Contrapunkt OM 019 • Fantasia cromatica OM 038 • Fantasia ja koraali OM 039 • Häähymni [Wedding Hymn] OM 057 • Iltalaulu [Abendlied] (arr.) • Konserttifantasia OM 120 • Passacaglia, Op. 80 • Postludium I, Op. 88, No. 1 • Postludium II, Op. 88, No. 2 • Postludium III, Op. 88, No. 3 • Prelude A minor (arr.) (BWV 807, from Bach's English Suites) • Prelude G minor (arr.) (BWV 808, ditto) • Rukous OM 222 • Sarabande D minor (arr.) (BWV 812, from Bach's French Suites) • Sarabande E minor (arr.) (BWV 810, from Bach's English Suites) • Prelude and Fuge B-flat minor (BWV 891) (arr.)
Solo voice
Solo voice
• Pai, pai, paitaressu, Op. 2, No. 1 • Vanha mummo, Op. 2, No. 2 • Onneton, Op. 2, No. 3 • Die Sprache des Waldes [Metsän mieli], Op. 7, No. 1 • Stille Sicherheit [Äänettömässä rauhassa], Op. 7, No. 2 • Scheideblick, Op. 7, No. 3 • Ewige Treue, Op. 7, No. 4 • Kevätlinnuille etelässä, Op. 11, No. 1 • Muistellessa, Op. 11, No. 2 • Yöllä, Op. 11, No. 3a • Se rakkaus, Op. 13, No. 4 • Tuulan tei, Op. 13, No. 5 • Hennan keinulaulu, Op. 14, No. 2 • Reppurin laulu, Op. 14, No. 10 • Kun saapuu Herra Zebaoth, Op. 17 • Hyljätty, Op. 18, No. 1 • Ilta tuntureilla, Op. 18, No. 2 • Haave, Op. 18, No. 3a • Immen pelko, Op. 18, No. 4 • Se kolmas, Op. 19b • Kullan murunen, Op. 20, No. 1 • Miksi laulan, Op. 20, No. 2 • Vertaus, Op. 20, No. 3a • Kun päivä paistaa, Op. 24, No. 1 • Vallinkorvan laulu, Op. 24, No. 2 • Laulan lasta nukkumahan, Op. 30, No. 1 • Laula tyttö!, Op. 30, No. 2 • Tule!, Op. 30, No. 3 • Myrskylintu, Op. 30, No. 4 • Mä lykkään purteni laineillen, Op. 32, No. 1 • Kas, oksa värähtää, Op. 32, No. 2 • Hän kulkevi kuin yli kukkien, Op. 32, No. 3 • Kylän tiellä, Op. 32, No. 4 • Nyt ja sitten [Jetzt und einst], Op. 34, No. 1 • Vallflickan [Das Hirtenmädchen], Op. 34, No. 2 • Kyynel [Die Träne], Op. 34, No. 3 • Ainut hetki, Op. 36, No. 1 • Kottarainen, Op. 36, No. 2 • Soi vienosti murheeni soitto, Op. 36, No. 3 • An den Frühling, Op. 38, No. 1 • Ström' leise, Op. 38, No. 2 • Wehmut, Op. 38, No. 3 • Takt, Op. 38, No. 4 • Ilmattaren laulu, Op. 40, No. 1 • Rukous (Ave Maria), Op. 40, No. 2 • Töne der Waldtauben [Metsäkyyhkyset], Op. 47, No. 1 • Kuin hiipuva hiillos tummentuu, Op. 47, No. 2 • Aftonstämning, Op. 47, No. 3 • Merellä, Op. 47, No. 4a • Merellä, Op. 47, No. 4b • Tuonen tytön laulu, Op. 48, No. 1 • Tuuti lulla mun kuopustain, Op. 48, No. 2 • Kun vaan laulaa saan, Op. 49, No. 1 • Kuolema kannelta löi, Op. 49, No. 2 • Jos olet mun!, Op. 49, No. 3 • Vackra flicka, gift dig snart [Etsi sulho, neitonen], Op. 51, No. 1 • Annina, Op. 51, No. 2 • De gledo på kanalen [Kuun koittaessa], Op. 51, No. 3 • Taas soivat ne suuret surut, Op. 52, No. 1 • Linnulle kirkkomaalla, Op. 52, No. 2 • Oi, muistatko vielä sen virren, Op. 52, No. 3 • Itkevä huilu, Op. 52, No. 4 • Omenankukat, Op. 53, No. 1 • Oi, minne emon lintunen lensi?, Op. 53, No. 2 • Kun nukahdan katsoen tähtiin ma, Op. 54 • Illan kuutamossa, Op. 58, No. 1 • Lapselle, Op. 58, No. 2 • Yksin, Op. 58, No. 3 • Kevätlaulu, Op. 58, No. 4 • Elämän laulu, Op. 61 • Tuuti, mun vauvani, nukkukaa!, Op. 67, No. 1 • Tipu, tipu, kuuleppas!, Op. 67, No. 2 • Paimentyttö, Op. 67, No. 3 • Matka maailman loppuun, Op. 67, No. 4 • Ilialin laulu, Op. 69, No. 1 • Illansuussa, Op. 69, No. 2 • Nuoruuden ylistys, Op. 69, No. 3 • Balladi, Op. 69, No. 4 • Ma elän!, Op. 71, No. 1 • Talvikukkia, Op. 71, No. 2 • Valkeat ristit, Op. 74, No. 1 • Laulaja taivaan portilla, Op. 74, No. 2 • Käy kirkkomaata illoin vanhat mummot, Op. 74, No. 3 • Päivännousu kultaa kirkkomaan, Op. 74, No. 4 • Hyvää yötä, Op. 75, No. 1 • Lauantai-ilta, Op. 75, No. 2 • Tule kanssani, Op. 75, No. 3 • Laula, laula, lapsonen, Op. 78, No. 1 • Mä haaveksin näin, Op. 78, No. 2 • Surun voima, Op. 78, No. 3 • Sinulle, Op. 81, No. 1 • Rote Blumen [Punakukat], Op. 81, No. 2 • Niin sinua katsoin, neiti, Op. 81, No. 3 • Gamla Maja, Op. 81, No. 4 • Yö, Op. 82, No. 1 • Aamulaulu, Op. 82, No. 2 • Lastentaru takkavalkealla, Op. 82, No. 3 • Enten - Eller, Op. 82, No. 4 • Laatokka, Op. 83, No. 1 • Tule tuskaani yö, Op. 83, No. 2 • Päivä, Op. 83, No. 3 • Vi ses igen!, Op. 83, No. 4 • Teitä siunaan, Op. 84, No. 1 • Vågorna vagga min hvita båt [Aaltoset tuutivat venhoain], Op. 84, No. 2 • Öiset tiuvut, Op. 87, No. 1 • Suvi-illan vieno tuuli, Op. 87, No. 2 • Hyvästi!, Op. 87, No. 3 • Kansanlaulu, Op. 90, No. 1 • En skymningsvisa, Op. 90, No. 2 • Suvi-ilta, Op. 91, No. 1 • Sommarmorgon i skogen, Op. 91, No. 2 • Visa i väntan, Op. 91, No. 3 • Kasakan kehtolaulu, Op. 91, No. 4 • Agneta, Op. 93, No. 1 • Genezaretin rannalla, Op. 93, No. 2 • Bedövning [Raukeus], Op. 93, No. 3 • Elämälle, Op. 93, No. 4 • Hämärissä, Op. 96, No. 1 • Vågen, Op. 96, No. 2 • Min älskade, Op. 96, No. 3 • Äitini silmät, Op. 99 • Polska, Op. 103, No. 1 • Fågelungarna flögo ur bo, Op. 103, No. 2 • Bacchanal, Op. 105, No. 1 • Mot segern, Op. 105, No. 2 • Allting glider mot döden [Kaikki liukuu kohti kuolemaa], Op. 105, No. 3 • Iltakellot, Op. 106, No. 1 • Sinipiiat, Op. 106, No. 2 • Minä laulan sun iltasi tähtihin, Op. 106, No. 3 • Laulelen pojalleni pikkuiselle, Op. 107, No. 1 • Maid, wo ist deiner Augen Glanz, Op. 107, No. 2 • Ainoa maan päällä, Op. 107, No. 3 • Frisch gesungen!, Op. 108, No. 1 • Mutter, Op. 108, No. 2 • Hab' Sonne!, Op. 108, No. 3 • Beherzigung [Kun sulle taakaks' elo käy], Op. 109, No. 1 • Käsittämätön Jumala, Op. 109, No. 2 • Kummaa on mielestäin, Op. 109, No. 3 • Yö, Op. 110, No. 1 • Syyslaulu, Op. 110, No. 2 • Mummo, Op. 110, No. 3 • Aurinko laski, Op. 113, No. 1 • Mistä – mihin?, Op. 113, No. 2 • Huolissaan huokaileva OM 056 • Ihmis-elo OM 061 • Im Waldgeheg’ OM 063 • Kiitävi aatos kaipuun siivin OM 112 • Kom! OM 118 • Koskenlaskijan laulu OM 121 • Kotiranta OM 122 • Lemmen laulu OM 145 • Liebesfeier OM 147 • Maammopa valvoi marjuttansa OM 157 • Marjatan kehtolaulu OM 158 • Nocturne OM 180 • O pauvre mère malheureuse OM 188 • Oh Phantasie, du süßes Träumen! OM 189 • Romanssi ilman sanoja OM 221 (voice and lute) • Släktvisan OM 240 • Vad fattas mig än? OM 298 • Viihdy täällä impi kukka OM 313 • Voi äiti parka ja raukka OM 319 • Illustration — Sheet music collection of songs
Sheet music
Sheet music
• Piano Pieces 1: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja [Finnish Folk Songs], Book 1 • Piano Pieces 4: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja, Book 4 • Piano Pieces 5: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja, Book 5
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
Oskar Merikanto was recorded at birth as Frans Oskar Mattsson. His recorded language was Finnish. One child is recorded: Aarre Merikanto.
Identity
Identity
Oskar Merikanto is recorded with the occupation conductor. Classed in the genre incidental music. Classed in the genre art song. Classed in the genre opera. Merikanto worked at Saint John's Church. Recorded as having studied at University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. Formation and teaching. Merikanto studied at University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. He trained under Lauri Hämäläinen, Gustav Schreck and Albert Becker.

The Finnish composer, pianist, and music critic Oskar Merikanto (c. 1898)
Photographer: Paul Heckscher · The Åbo Akademi University Foundation (

The Finnish composer, pianist, and music critic Oskar Merikanto (c. 1920)
Photographer: SmF · The Åbo Akademi University Foundation (
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1868
Oskar Merikanto was born on 5 August 1868.
1924
Oskar Merikanto died on 17 February 1924.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
Helsinki.
Birth place
Oitti.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
Institutional database
- MusicBrainz artist record for Oskar Merikanto
Scholarly · MetaBrainz Foundation
reference work
- “Oskar Merikanto”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q455630: Oskar Merikanto
Unverified · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Lappalainen, Seija. Merikanto, Oskar (1868–1924). Kansallisbiografia. 2 August 2018.
- 2.Oskar Merikannon elämäkerta kertoo kutakuinkin kaiken Suosikkisäveltäjästä luettavasti. Helsingin Sanomat. 10 December 1995.
- 3.Tarpila, Laila. Säveltäjä Oskar Merikanto oli Sibeliusta suositumpi mutta ystävien kiusaama – Musiikin syntymäpäiväkalenteri. yle. 5 August 2019.
- 4.Korhonen, Kimmo. Inventing Finnish Music. Finnish Music Information Centre. 2007. 978-952-5076-61-5.
- 5.Heikinheimo, Seppo. Aarre Merikanto. Säveltäjäkohtalo itsenäisessä Suomessa. WSOY. 1985. 951-0-13319-1.
- 6.Finnland Institut
- 7.Lappalainen, Seija. Merikanto, Oskar (1868–1924).
- 8.artist. biography. Oskar Merikanto. Robert. Cummings.
- 9.Poroila, Heikki. Yhtenäistetty Oskar Merikanto Teosten yhtenäistettyjen nimekkeiden ohjeluettelo. Musiikkikirjastot. Suomen musiikkikirjastoyhdistys [Finnish Music Library Association]. 2019.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
Institutional database
MusicBrainz artist record for Oskar MerikantoMetaBrainz Foundation
Verifiedreference work
Partially resolvedauthority record
Unverified
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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