Kuusisto, Ilkka

(*1933)

Ilkka Kuusisto (born on 26 April 1933) is a versatile figure in Finnish musical life: a composer, conductor and arts administrator. The son of composerĀ Taneli Kuusisto, he studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki withĀ Aarre Merikanto,Ā Nils Eric FougstedtĀ and others. He was the publishing director of Fazer Music in 1981ā€“84 and director of the Finnish National Opera in 1984ā€“92. As a choral conductor, he has led many choirs, including Laulu-Miehet and the Finnish Radio Chorus.

Kuusisto’s compositions range from jazz and film music to vocal music and operas. They retain a tonal basis, and the melodic quality is enhanced by a homophonic accompanying texture. Kuusisto also displays a keen sense of humour in works such as theĀ Moomin OperaĀ (1974). In his five-act operaĀ Sota valostaĀ (The Battle for the Sun, 1980) he combines themes from the national epic, the Kalevala, and uses archaic elements borrowed from medieval and folk music.Ā JƤƤkƤri StĆ„hl (Ensign StĆ„hl, 1981), drawing widely on Ostrobothnian minor-key melodies, is, according to Kuusisto, a more direct ā€˜folk operaā€™. Aino AcktĆ© is an opera about the first international star of the Finnish opera scene. Other popular stage works include Gabriel, tule takaisin! (Gabriel, come back!, 1998) andĀ Nainen kuin jƤƤtynyt samppanja (1999).

Ilkka Kuusisto has also written several solo songs and song cycles such as Do not stand at my grave and weep for soprano and piano is composed in 2020. Other vocal works include songs to text by various Finnish poets such as L. Onerva, Aale Tynni, Einari Vuorela, Helena Anhava and Lassi Nummi. Kuusistoā€™s pedagogical piano collections Ekat Jazzit (Jazz for Kiddies) and My First Latin American (Ekat latttarit) have been popular among young pianists. Kuusisto has also arranged 24 Finnish Christmas carols for voice small orchestra including the songs in Jean Sibeliusā€™ Opus 1.

24 Finnish Christmas Carols

Sales material 1. J Sibelius: Nu stĆ„r jul vid snƶig port / Joulu saapuu portin luo / Now Stands Yule at the Snowy Gate (Sw/Fin/Eng) 2ā€™ (2fl/str) 2. J Sibelius: Nu sĆ„ kommer julen / Tervehtii jo meitƤ / Now is Christmas Coming (Sw/Fin/Eng) 3ā€™ (2fl/str) 3. J Sibelius: Det mƶrknar ute / Jo joutuu ilta / Oā€™er Hill and Dale (Sw/Fin/Eng) 2ā€™ (2fl/str) 4. J Sibelius: Giv mig ej glans / En etsi valtaa, loistoa / Gib mir nicht Glanz / We Ask for Nothing Rich or Rare (Sw/Fin/Eng/Ger) 4ā€™ (2fl/str) 5. J Sibelius: On hanget korkeat / Visst drivor hƶga som skyn vi ha /The Shining Snows are Driven High (Sw/Fin/Eng) 3ā€™ (2fl/str) 6. K Collan: Sylvian joululaulu / Sylvias julvisa (Sylviaā€™s Carol) (Fin/Sw) 4ā€™ (2fl/str) 7. P J Hannikainen: Hiljaa, hiljaa helkkyellen / Lyss till kvƤllens milda toner (Softly, Softly Ringing) (Fin/Sw) 3ā€™ (hp/str) 8. P J Hannikainen: Tuikkikaa, oi joulun tƤhtƶset (Twinkle, Little Christmas Stars) (Fin) 2ā€™ (str) 9. P J Hannikainen: Kautta tyynen, vienon yƶn / I den stilla nattens fred (Through the Soft and Tranquil Night) (Fin/Sw) 2ā€™ (str) 10. O Merikanto: joulu tullut on (Christmas is Here) (Fin) 2ā€™ (fl/str) 11. E Melartin: Yƶn keskellƤ tƤhtƶnen loisti / Du strĆ„lande BetlehemsstjƤrna (A Star Shone in the Night) (Fin/Sw) 2ā€™ (str) 12. S Palmgren: Ja neitsyt pikkupoijuttansa / Och jungfrun gƶmmer troget (The Virgin MaryRocks Her Child) (Fin/Sw) 2ā€™ (str) 13. H Kaski: Mƶkit nukkuu lumiset / Skog och fƤlt i snƶskrud stĆ„ (The Snowbound Cabins Sleep) (Fin/Sw) 4ā€™ (hp/str) 14. L Madetoja: Arkihuolesi kaikki heitƤ / Vardagssorgerna glƶm dem alla(Cast off All Care) (Fin/Sw) 2ā€™ (hp/str) 15. L Madetoja: Enkelien joululaulu (The Angelsā€™ Carol) (Fin) 2ā€™ (2fl/str) 16. I Hannikainen: Odotan jouluvierasta (I Await a Christmas Guest) (Fin) 2ā€™ (str) 17. J Pohjanmies: Talvi-iltana (On a Winterā€™s Evening) (Fin) 2ā€™ (str) 18. V Hannikainen: On maassa hanget puhtahat / PĆ„ marken ligger dunnmjuk snƶ (Snow Lies Fresh upon the Ground) (Fin/Sw) 2ā€™ (str) 19. M Turunen: Me kƤymme joulun viettohon / Vi gĆ„ att fira julens fest (We Go to Celebrate Christmas) (Fin/Sw) 3ā€™ (hp/str) 20. T Kuusisto: Oi saavu, rauhan juhla (Come Festival of Peace) (Fin) 3ā€™ (hp/str) 21. A Sonninen: Rauhaa, vain rauhaa / Hƶr, julens klockor ringa i frid(Peace, Perfect Peace) (Fin/Sw) 3ā€™ (str) 22. J Parviainen: Betlehem (Bethlehem) (Fin) 3ā€™ (str) 23. O Kotilainen: Kun joulu on (Now that it is Christmas) (Fin) 2ā€™ (2fl/str) 24. O Kotilainen: Varpunen jouluaamuna / Sparven pĆ„ julmorgonen (A Sparrow on Christmas Morning) (Fin/Sw) 4ā€™ (hp/str)

Duration: 0

Aaron Ykkƶnen

valikoima sovituksia solistille ja orkesterille

2(II+picc).1.1.1(+cfg)-2.1.1.1-1.2-str

Duration: 0

Divertimento

for strings

str

Duration: 10

Dolmatovskin laulu

oopperasta Taipaleenjoki

voice and orchestra

2.2.2.2-2.0.1.0-1.0-str

Duration: 3

FjƤriln vingad eller qvinnokunst och mannamod

Musik till sƄngspelet av Erik Sƶderblom

for orchestra

0.0.1.1-1.0.0.0-1(+perc: Maracas, Marimba, Piatto sospeso, Glockenspiel, Triangolo, Tamburo militare)-keyboard(Cembalo/Lute/Guitar/Teorbi or other)-str

Duration: 0

Frƶken Julie / Miss Julie

Ooppera / Opera in 2 acts (1993)

3 roles, 2222/22 10/11, strings

Duration: 90

Gabriel, tule takaisin!

NelinƤytƶksinen ooppera (1995)

Opera in Four Acts

2S-MS-A-T-Bar-SSAA 1111-2110-01-pf(+keyb)-str Percussione: 2 Timpani, Tamburo militare, Tom-toms, Gran cassa, 2 Bongos, Piatti (medio & piccolo), Tamtam (grande), Glockenspiel, Xilofono, Vibrafono, Triangolo, 2 blocchi di legno, Guiro, 2 Maracas, Cabasa, Vibraslap, Drum set

Duration: 110

Iloista joulua - sikermƤ joululauluja

Versio suurelle orkesterille

for large orchestra

3(III=picc)3(III=ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-11-hp-str Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Triangle, Sleigh Bells EnsimmƤinen joulu - The First Nowell Jouluilta (Taivahalla syttyi juuri) Kilisee kilisee kulkunen Joulukirkkoon (Kello lƶi jo viisi) Oi sƤ riemuisa - O du frƶhliche

Duration: 0

Iloista joulua -sikermƤ joululauluja

Versio sinfoniaorkesterille

for orchestra

2222-2210-11-hp-str Percussion: Snare Drum, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Triangle, Sleigh Bells EnsimmƤinen joulu - The First Nowell Jouluilta (Taivahalla syttyi juuri) Kilisee kilisee kulkunen Joulukirkkoon (Kello lƶi jo viisi) Oi sƤ riemuisa - O du frƶhliche

Duration: 7

IsƤnmaan tyttƤret / Daughters of the Fatherland

Ooppera / Opera in 3 acts (1996)

21 major and minor roles, 2222/2231/11, strings

Duration: 120

JƤƤkƤri StƄhl / Jaeger StƄhl

Ooppera / Opera in 6 acts with epilogue (1981-1982)

14 major and minor roles,2222/4330/12, strings

Duration: 110

Kiljusten Kalevala / Kalevala after the Kiljunen Family

Musikaali / Musical (1998)

children's musical in two acts

6 major roles piano; double bass, percussion

Duration: 0

Kotia kohti

pohjautuu Z. Topeliuksen tarinaan "Koivu ja tƤhti" (2005 / 2009)

church opera in 2 acts

vl(mandolin)-accordeon-organ(pf)

Duration: 60

Kuninkaan sormus

KaksinƤytƶksinen ooppera / Opera in two acts (2001)

6 major roles, ca 20 minor roles, 2222/2210/11/0, keyboard, strings

Duration: 130

Matilda ja Nikolai / Matilda and Nikolai

Ooppera 12 kohtauksessa / Opera in 12 scenes (2003-2004)

10 major and minor roles, mixed choir, 2222-2210-01-pf-str

Duration: 90

Meren lauluja

The Sea Songs (1991)

for childrenā€™s or juvenile choir and orchestra

2000-0000-01-str 1. Meren laulu (The Sea Song) 4ā€™ 2. PƤƤskyn aika (The Time of the Swallow) 3ā€™ 3. Meri on sininen (The Sea is Blue) 3ā€™ 4. Satamahinaaja (The Tugboat) 4ā€™

Duration: 14

Miehen kylkiluu / The Rib of a Man

Ooppera / Opera in 3 acts (1977-1978)

9 major and minor roles, 1011/1000/01, accordion, strings

Duration: 105

Miehen kylkiluu / The Rib of a Man

Ooppera / Opera in 3 acts (1977-1978)

9 major and minor roles, 2222/4231/12, strings

Duration: 105

Muumiooppera / Die Muminoper

The Moomin Opera (1974)

Soloists: 7 singing roles, female non-singin role, male speaking-role playing mouth-organ, dancers (4-10, maybe children)

1(+picc)11(+ebcl+bcl)1-2111-02-hp-str Percussion: Timpani, Snare drum, Tom-tom, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Gong, Bell plates, Marimba, Xylophone, Triangle, Tambourines, Maracas, Wood blocks, Penal, Rattle, Flexatone, Cow bell, Car horn

Duration: 65

Nainen kuin jƤƤtynyt samppanja [A Woman Like Frozen Champagne]

KaksinƤytƶksinen monologiooppera /Chamber opera in 2 acts (1999)

1 major role, 1 dancer, piano, violin, cello

Duration: 80

Pelle Svanslƶs

laulu ja piano, stemmoja ainakin in Bb

Duration: 0

Pierrot eller nattens hemligheter

Pierrot ja yƶn salaisuudet (1990)

3 major roles, piano+synthesizer (1 player), percussion, strings

Duration: 60

Postineiti / The Postmistress

Ooppera / Opera in 2 acts (1991)

18 major and minor roles, 0022/2110/11, piano, strings

Duration: 100

Pula!

Ooppera Konikapinasta / opera in 2 acts with epilogue (2002)

21 major and minor roles, mixed choir, 2220/2230/11/0, piano, strings

Duration: 120

PyhƤ yƶ [libretto: Panu Rajala]

joulukohtaus oopperasta Taipaleenjoki

2222/2221/00/solistit(SATB)+lapsikuoro/str

Duration: 5

Sarja Suzuki-sovituksia

for orchestra (1st mov with piano solo)

2(II+picc).2.2.2-2.2.2.0-1.1(Piatto sospeso, Tamburino, Tam-tam)-str 1. Kuutamolla (pf & orch) 2. Arabialainen laulu 3. Allegretto 4. Musette

Duration: 0

Soi, virteni, kiitosta Herran

Kalajokilaaksosta ((arr.Ilkka Kuusisto)

for voice and orchestra

0.0.2.0-0.0.0.0-str

Duration: 2

Sota valosta / War for the Light

Ooppera / Opera in 5 acts (1980)

19 major and minor roles, actors, mixed choir, 2(II+alto/picc)2(II+cor.ing)2(II+Eb/bcl)2(II+cbn)/433(III+btbn)1/12/1, accordion, strings

Duration: 150

Symphony No. 1

(1998)

for symphony orchestra

3(III=picc).3(III=c.ing).3(III=bcl).3(III=cfg)- 4.3.3.1-1.2(Silofono, Glockenspiel, Tam-tam, Gran cassa, Wooden block, Tamburo militare, Triangolo, Tamburino)-hp-str

Duration: 27

Symphony No. 2

(2005)

for symphony orchestra

3(III=picc).3(III=c.ing).3(III=bcl).3(III=cfg)-4.3.3.1-1.2(Timpani, Glckenspiel, Silofono, Tamburo militare, Triangolo, Guiro, Piatti a due, Gran cassa), Tam-tam, Lastra di metallo)-str

Duration: 32

Taipaleenjoki

Ooppera / Opera in 2 acts (2010)

2222/2221/11-str

Duration: 150

Tule hiutale

for mixed choir and orchestra

2.2.2.2-2.0.0.0-0.2(Triangle, Glockenspiel, Tubular Bells)-str

Duration: 5

Vapauden vanki / The Prisoner of Freedom

Monologiooppera / Monologue opera in 2 acts (2006)

monologue opera in 2 acts

solo baritone and ensemble: oboe (doubling cor anglais and oboe d'amore), violin, viola, cello, harp and piano

Duration: 85