Heiniö, Mikko

(*1948)

Mikko Heiniö (born on 18 May 1948) studied composition with Joonas Kokkonen in Finland and Witold Szalonek in West Berlin, gaining his composition diploma from the Sibelius Academy in 1977. He also studied musicology and in 1984 earned a doctorate in the subject from the University of Helsinki, where worked as an assistant 1977-1985. He was Professor of musicology at the University of Turku 1986-2005 and Chairman of the Society of Finnish Composers 1992-2010. He was also Deputy Chairman of the Finnish Composers’ Copyright Society Teosto. Heiniö is composer-in-residence of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

The main items in Heiniö’s oeuvre are his four operas, the nine piano concertos and three symphonies (Possible Worlds (1987), Songs of Night and Love (1997) and Sinfonia Concertante for Percussion and Orchestra (2017). Other orchestral works include the song cycle Vuelo de alambre (1983), Wind Pictures for choir and orchestra (1991), Envelope for trumpet and orchestra (2002, intended to be performed before and after the Haydn Trumpet Concerto in Eb), Sonata da chiesa (2005) scored for brass, celesta and percussion, Alla madre (2007) for violin and orchestra, Syyskesän laulu (Late Summer Song, 2009) for soloist and orchestra (or piano) and Event Horizon (2012) for wind orchestra.

He has also written a wealth of chamber works for a variety of instruments such as Framtidens skugga (The Shadow of the Future) for soprano and brass ensemble (1980), Piano Trio (1988), Piano Quintet (1993), Sextet (2000) for baritone and ensemble,  Treno della notte (2000) for clarinet, cello and piano, Café au lait (2006) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano and Canzona (2006) for string trio. His work list also includes solo pieces especially for piano and guitar.

Heiniö’s series of piano concertos explore the worlds of choral music, dance, opera and jazz with a disregard for artistic borders. They are hybrids with unconventional instrumentations as the composer feels that “every work should succeed in conjuring up something unique”. The fourth piano concerto Genom kvällen (Through the Evening) is also a choral work. The sixth and seventh piano concertos Hermes (1994) and Khora (2001) were composed as dance works in close partnership with the ERI Dance Theatre. Hermes is scored for piano, soprano and string orchestra, while Khora has five percussion players instead of an orchestra. Both concertos can also be performed as concert versions. Moon Concerto (Piano Concerto No. 7 for mezzo-soprano, piano and orchestra) was commissioned by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Nonno (Piano Concerto No. 9 for amplified piano and big band) by the UMO Jazz Orchestra.

Mikko Heiniö is also a composer of choral music, such as Three Folk Songs (1977), Landet som icke är (The Land that is Not, 1980) and Luceat (1992). His large-scale choral works Maria Suite and Ilta (The Evening) have both been recorded by the Key Ensemble – a choir which has often peformed and premiered Heiniö’s works. Other choral pieces are Täällä, kaikkialla (Here, Everywhere, 2021) commissioned and recorded by the Polytech Choir and and Ehtooveisut (2020) commissioned by the Key Ensemble and Krysostomos Chamber Choir.

Heiniö has composed four operas. The church opera Riddaren och draken (The Knight and the Dragon, 2000) was written for Turku Cathedral’s 700th anniversary celebrations and it has been recorded on the BIS label. His second opera Käärmeen hetki (The Hour of the Serpent) was commissioned by the Finnish National Opera and premiered in 2006. Erik XIV was a commission from the City of Turku, and it tells about the Swedish King Eric XIV (1533-1577) and his wife, Karin Månsdotter. In Heiniö’s latest opera Johanna the libretto by Pirkko Saisio weaves together the stories of 15th-century Joan of Arc and Johanna, a 21st-century drama-queen entertainer. On the surface, the story is about two provocative, charismatic women – but also their abuse and exploitation

Heiniö’s music has been described as sensual, rhythmic and easily accessible. Basic features of his style are its colourful, impressionistic sonority and energetic rhythms displaying the influence of Latin-American music, jazz and rock. In the 1980s, particularly, he went in for marked contrasts of style within one and the same work (as in Possible Worlds). In the Concerto for Organ and Orchestra (2012-13) the organ at times dances to the beat of an old Italian Saltarello, while at others it engages in sustained, intense dialogue with the orchestra creating an impressive, sublime atmosphere steeped in colour. Heiniö’s 3rd symphony, Symphony Concertante for Percussion and Orchestra (2017) was a commission by the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra for a premiere in May 2018. A Turku University commission was the cantata Syvyyden yllä tuuli (Wind above the Depths) premiered in 2020. Heiniö’s Koraaleja (Chorales) composed in 2020-21 consists of two overlapping works: a Concerto for Kantele, Violin and String Orchestra, and settings of three poems by Lassi Nummi for violin, kantele and strings. A recent work is the Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Choir – another proof of Heiniö’s unusual combination of instruments.

Heiniö also has a reputation as a music scholar, as the author of several books and nearly two hundred articles. He specialises in new Finnish music, a subject on which he has written works focusing on the history of ideas (such as his doctoral dissertation The Idea of Innovation and Tradition, 1984) and the history of composition. His book Aikamme musiikki (1995) is volume 4 of the history of Finnish music that won the Finlandia Prize for non-fiction in 1997. Sanat sävelistä (1997) is a treatise on his own composition, his views on aesthetics and cultural policy, and his book Karvalakki kansakunnan kaapin päällä (1999) deals with the public image of Finnish opera.

Alla madre

Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (2007)

for violin and orchestra

3(III+picc)3(III+ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-13-hp-str Percussione 1: Marimba, Campana a lastra (A), 2 Piatti naturali, Piatto sospeso, Hi-hat, Peking Gong, 2 Congas, 2 Bongos, Donnerblech, Guiro, Cuica, Rainmaker Percussione 2: Vibrafono, Campane (E1), Crotale (G#4), 5 Tom-toms, Tamburo basco, Maracas, Whistle, Vibraslap, Rainmaker Percussione 3: Campanelli, Campani tubolari, Gran cassa, 4 Gongs (E, A, D, G), Tamtam, Peking Gong, Cabasa, Sonagli

Duration: 33

Brass Mass

(1979)

for brass

4tpt/4tbn/tba(ad lib)

Duration: 16

Choral works

Duration: 0

Concerto for Kantele, Violin and String Orchestra

kantele, violin, strings

Duration: 25

Concerto for Organ and Orchestra

(2012-13)

2(II+picc)2(II+ca)2(II+bcl)2(II=cfg)-2200-10-str

Duration: 25

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3

(1981)

for piano and orchestra

2222-4330-13-cel-str

Duration: 28

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5

(1989)

for piano and orchestra

2(II+picc)2(II+ca)2(II+bcl)2(II+cfg)-4330-12-str

Duration: 25

Dall'ombra all'ombra

(1992)

for orchestra and synthesizer

2(I=picc,II+picc)2(II+ca)2(II+bcl)2(II+cfg)-4330-13-synth-str Percussione: 1.: Crotales, Marimbaphone, Bass Drum (Gran Cassa), Sustained Cymbal 2.: Vibraphone, Tubular Bells, Xylophone, 3 Gongs, 5 Tomtoms 3.: Orchestra Bells (Campanelli), Tam-tam, Metal Wind Chimes

Duration: 13

Envelope for Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in Eb

(2002)

for trumpet and orchestra

3(III=picc)3(III=ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-13-hp-pf-str

Duration: 20

Event Horizon

for wind orchestra & mixed choir (ad libitum) (2012)

3(I=picc)14(IV=bcl)1-2asax-tsax-barsax-233(III=btrb)1-euph-12

Duration: 14

Four Finnish Folktunes for Four Trombones

Neljä kansansävelmää neljälle pasuunalle

for four trombones

4tbn

Duration: 6

Framtidens skugga / The Shadow of the Future

(1980)

for soprano and brass ensemble

4tpt/4tbn/tba

Duration: 22

Genom kvällen / Through the Evening

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 (1986)

for piano, mixed choir and string orchestra

str

Duration: 26

Hermes (Piano Concerto No. 6)

Dance Pictures (1994)

for piano, soprano and string orchestra

str

Duration: 52

Käärmeen hetki / The Hour of the Serpent

Opera in Two Acts (2002-05)

Opera in Two Acts

12 Soloists, mixed chorus 3(III+picc)3(III+ca)3(III+bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-13-hp-pf(+cel)-str +quintet on stage(fl-cl-vl-vc-pf)

Duration: 140

Khora (Piano Concerto No. 7)

Dance Images for Piano and Percussion (2001)

for piano and percussion

piano solo - 5 percussionists Percussion 1: Xylophone, Djembe, 2 Rototoms, Triangle, Flexaton, Suspended cymbal (small), Vibraslap, Eggz shaker, Rainmaker, Guiro Percussion 2: Vibraphone, 2 Bongos, Bass drum, Suspended cymbal, Tamtam, Claves, Sandpaper, Lion roar, Agoga, Cencerro Percussion 3: Marimba, 2 Congas, 2 Rototoms, Triangle, Flexaton, Suspended cymbal (small), Slide whistle, Cabasa, Rainmaker Percussion 4: Bells, Crotales (E&F), 2 Timpani, 2 Tom-toms, 2 Chinese gongs, Maracas, Castanet, Cuiga (2 stones), Cymbal, 2 Tamtams Percussion 5: Tubular bells, Crotales (D&G), 2 Timpani, 2 Chinese gongs, 2 Woodblocks, Bell plate (A), Whistle (2 stones), Cymbal, 2 Tamtams

Duration: 45

Koraaleja

(2021)

kantele, baritone, violin and string orchestra

str (+ singing bowl) Includes the works: Concerto for Kantele, Violin and String Orchestra & Three Songs set to Lassi Nummi's lyrics (for Baritone, Kantele, Violin and String Orchestra)

Duration: 48

Maestoso

Variations of a fragment by King Eric XIV (2008)

for orchestra

3(III+picc)3(III+ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-13-hp-str Perc. 1: Timpano (c-e), Vibrafono, Metal wind chimes Perc. 2: Timpano (Fis-A), Marimba Perc. 3: Gran cassa, Piatto sospeso grande, 2 Piatti naturali, Tamtam, 5 Gongs (E, A, g, c, f'), Campane tubolari

Duration: 9

Minne

(1996)

for string orchestra

str

Duration: 18

Moon Concerto

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 8 (2008-09)

for piano, mezzo-soprano and orchestra

3(II+afl,III+picc)3(III+ca)3(III=bcl)3(III=cfg)-4331-13-hp-cel-str Percussion 1: Piatto sospeso piccolo, Sizzle-Cymbal, Tamtam, Campanelli, Marimba, 2 Bongos, 2 Congas, Donnerblech Percussion 2: 4 Tom-toms, Tamburo basco, Piatto sospeso medio, Vibrafono, Metal wind chimes Percussion 3: Gran cassa, Piatto sospeso grande, 2 Piatti naturali, 4 Gongs (E, A, d, g), Campani tubolari, Triangolo

Duration: 38

Nonno

Piano Concerto No. 9 (2011)

for amplified piano and big band

2asax(I&II+ssax)-2tsax(I+ssax)-barsax-0440-drums-bass

Duration: 21

On the Rocks

(1998)

for orchestra

3333-4331-13-pf(+cel)-str

Duration: 13

Possible Worlds - A Symphony

(1987/99)

for orchestra

3(II&III+picc)3(III+ca)3(II+bcl,III+escl)3(III=cfg)- 4331-13-hp-pf+cel-str

Duration: 34

Riddaren och draken / The Knight and the Dragon

Church Opera (1999-2000)

Church Opera

Soloists: 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, bass-baritone, bass, 2 female choirs, 2 male choirs 2(II+picc)2(II+ca)2(II+bcl)2(II+cfg)-4331-15-org-str

Duration: 75

Sonata da chiesa

Four Serpent Scenes in the Old Testament (2005)

for brass, celesta and percussion

0000-4331-13-cel Percussion 1: Gran cassa, 2 Bongos, 2 Congas, Piatto sospeso, Vibraphone, Castanets, Guiro, Rainmaker, Vibraslap Percussion 2: 3 Tomtoms, Tamtam, 2 Gongs (E & A), Campane tubolari, 2 Woodblocks, Maracas, 2 Agoga Percussion 3: 2 Rototoms, 2 Piatti naturali, High Hat, Crotali (d', as', es"), Campanelli, Campana a lastra (a), Wind Chimes, Sonagli, Maracas, Claves, Rainmaker, Vibraslap

Duration: 16

Symphony No. 2

Yön ja rakkauden lauluja / Songs of Night and Love (1997)

for baritone and orchestra

3(II+afl,III+picc)3(III+ca)3(III+bcl)3(III+cfg)-4331-13-hp-pf(+cel)-str Percussione 1: 3 Tomtoms, 2 Congas, Crotales, Campanelli, Campani tubolari, Marimba Percussione 2: 3 Rototoms (cis/e, fis/gis, h/c1), Piatto sospeso, Vibrafono, Campana a lastra (a), Tamburo basco, Rainmaker Percussione 3: Timpano (e), Gran Cassa, Piatto sospeso, Tamtam, 4 Gongs (E, A, g, c), Metal Wind Chimes

Duration: 41

Symphony No. 3

Sinfonia concertante for percussion and orchestra

3(II+afl,III+picc)3(III+ca)3(III+bcl)3(III+cfg)-4331-13-pf+cel-hp-str Timpani: Timpani, Cymbal, Peking gong, Wood chimes, Metal chimes Percussion 1: 2 Timbales, Djembe, Log Drum, Cymbals, Suspended cymbal, Crotales, Glockenspiel, Marimba, Triangle, 2 Congas, 2 Bongos, Castanets, Maracas, Darabuka Percussion 2: 4 Tom-toms, Tambourine, Ocean drum, Suspended cymbal, Tamtam, Vibraphone, 4 Temple blocks, Claves, 11 Cow bells, Guiro, Glass chimes Percussion 3: Bass drum, Djembe, Wood drum, Hi-hat cymbals, Sizzle cymbal, 10 Gongs, Bell plate (D), Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Claves, Djembe, Vibraslap, Shell chimes, Cricket, Tabla

Duration: 30

Syyskesän laulu [baritone and orchestra]

(2008)

for baritone and orchestra

2222(II=c.fag)-2200-01-str perc: Campanelli, Gran cassa, Piatto sospeso grande, Tamtam

Duration: 17

Syyskesän laulu [version for bass and orchestra]

Late Summer Song (2008)

Soloist: bass

2222(II=c.fag)-2200-01-str perc: Campanelli, Gran cassa, Piatto sospeso grande, Tamtam

Duration: 17

Trias

de "O quam mundum" (Piae Cantiones 1582: LXXI) (1995)

for orchestra

2222-4631-13-str

Duration: 10

Vuelo de alambre

(1983)

for soprano and orchestra

3333-4331-13-hp-pf(+cel)-str

Duration: 28

Wind Pictures / Tuulenkuvia

(1991)

for mixed choir and orchestra

2222-4331-03-hp-synth-str

Duration: 35

Symphony No. 2 (Songs of Night and Love)
(II Silence of the Sea)

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Petri Sakari, sol. Tommi Hakala
(Sony Music 88697 630212)

Alla madre, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
(II Aura)

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Petri Sakari, sol. Kurt Nikkanen
(Sony Music 88697 630212)

The Knight and the Dragon (Act 2, Scene 4)
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Turku Opera Chorus, cond. Ulf Söderblom, sol. Charlotte Hellekant, Helena Juntunen, Curt Appelgren, Rúni Brattaberg etc.
(BIS Records CD-1246)

Possible Worlds (IV Mobile e sonore)
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Jacques Mercier
(Finlandia Records CD-3984-23404-2)

Vuelo de alambre (IV Fué anoche)
Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Jacques Mercier, sol. Karita Mattila
(Finlandia Records CD-3984-23404-2)

Ilta – Evening (XIV Aftonbön (Evening Prayer)
Key Ensemble/Teemu Honkanen (Fuga-9409)

Tomumieli (Mind of Dust)
for TTBB choir and djebe drum
YL Male Voice Choir, cond. Matti Hyökki
(Finlandia Records CD-3984-23404-2)

April Evenings for Black Twins
for 2 pianos
Ursula von Lerber & Christian Erbslöh