Toivo Kärki
Toivo Pietari Johannes Kärki (3 December 1915 – 30 April 1992) was a Finnish composer, musician, music producer and arranger. He is especially remembered for his collaboration with Reino Helismaa. Kärki composed approximately 1400 recorded compositions, many of which had several versions, and wrote hundreds of unrecorded songs.
Toivo Kärki
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- Name
- Toivo Kärki
- Birth Name
- Toivo Pietari Johannes Kärki
- Born
- 3 December 1915
- Birthplace
- Pirkkala, Grand Duchy of Finland
- Died
- 30 April 1992
- Place of death
- Helsinki, Finland
- Occupation
- Composer
- Full name
- Toivo Pietari Johannes Kärki.
- Nationality
- Finland and Grand Duchy of Finland.
- Fields
- schlager, tango, jazz and incidental.
- Teachers
- Aarre Merikanto and Hjalmar Backman.
- Honours
- Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland, Finnish Music Hall of Fame, Cross of Liberty, 3rd Class, Cross of Liberty and 4th Class.
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Toivo Pietari Johannes Kärki (3 December 1915 – 30 April 1992) was a Finnish composer, musician, music producer and arranger. He is especially remembered for his collaboration with Reino Helismaa. Kärki composed approximately 1400 recorded compositions, many of which had several versions, and wrote hundreds of unrecorded songs.
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wikidata · Q2762298 · wikipedia · Toivo Kärki
In this article
Biography
Biography
He composed the music for about 50 films, several revues, theatrical plays, and radio comedies. He also arranged a large number of songs written by other people. He trained several of Finland's most important popular music lyricists. During his career, he helped dozens of singers get started in the industry, many of which remain active to this day. He made himself an important name in Finnish tango. He is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.
Training under Aarre Merikanto and Hjalmar Backman is recorded. The recorded working language is Finnish. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are schlager, tango, jazz and incidental. Places of work recorded in the authority are Helsinki and Tampere. Distinctions recorded are Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland, Finnish Music Hall of Fame, Cross of Liberty, 3rd Class and Cross of Liberty, 4th Class.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Toivo Kärki • Birth Name — Toivo Pietari Johannes Kärki • Born — 3 December 1915 • Birthplace — Pirkkala, Grand Duchy of Finland • Died — 30 April 1992 • Place of death — Helsinki, Finland • Origin — Finland • Occupation — Composer
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Pirkkala.
Birth place
Helsinki.
Death place
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reference work
- “Toivo Kärki”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q2762298: Toivo Kärki
General reference · Wikidata
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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 19 August 2026.
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