Kosti Vehanen
Encyclopedia
Kosti Vehanen was a Finnish pianist
and composer
. As a pianist he performed in more than 3 000 concerts on four continents. While he did perform as a concert soloist with major symphony orchestras and performed in recitals, he is best remembered for his prolific work as an accompianist with some of the most important singers of the first half of the 20th century. As a composer, he produced piano pieces, arrangements of folk songs, solo songs, two ballets, and a violin and cello fantasy. In addition, Vehanen also penned several memoirs, including 1941 book chronicling his decade long experience serving as Marian Anderson
's accompianist.
, Vehanen entered the Helsinki Music Institute
in 1905. He studied at the institute through 1910 where he was a pupil of Sigrid Schnéevoigtin. He then pursued further studies in Berlin and Paris, and with Giovanni Sgambati
in Rome.
In 1912 Vehanen gave his first performances as a concert pianist in Turku and Helsinki. He was soon after engaged as a soloist with major symphony orchestras through Scandinavia and in Great Britain. He became a popular accompianist who was sought after by many famous singers due to his sensitive and skilful playing. He enjoyed particularly fruitful partnerships with Marian Anderson
, Aino Ackté
, Maike Järnefelt, Antti Aune, Helge Lindberg
and Titta Ruffo
. He also performed regularly with soprano Maria Signe Liljequist (1876-1958), whom he was married to from 1924-1929.
Vehanen died in Turku in 1957 at the age of 69.
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. As a pianist he performed in more than 3 000 concerts on four continents. While he did perform as a concert soloist with major symphony orchestras and performed in recitals, he is best remembered for his prolific work as an accompianist with some of the most important singers of the first half of the 20th century. As a composer, he produced piano pieces, arrangements of folk songs, solo songs, two ballets, and a violin and cello fantasy. In addition, Vehanen also penned several memoirs, including 1941 book chronicling his decade long experience serving as Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century...
's accompianist.
Life and career
Born in TurkuTurku
Turku is a city situated on the southwest coast of Finland at the mouth of the Aura River. It is located in the region of Finland Proper. It is believed that Turku came into existence during the end of the 13th century which makes it the oldest city in Finland...
, Vehanen entered the Helsinki Music Institute
Sibelius Academy
The Sibelius Academy is a university-level music school which operates in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland. It also has an adult education centre in Järvenpää and a training centre in Seinäjoki. The Academy is the only music university in Finland. It is among the biggest European music universities...
in 1905. He studied at the institute through 1910 where he was a pupil of Sigrid Schnéevoigtin. He then pursued further studies in Berlin and Paris, and with Giovanni Sgambati
Giovanni Sgambati
Giovanni Sgambati was an Italian composer.Born to an Italian father and an English mother, Sgambati, who lost his father early, received his early education at Trevi, in Umbria, where he wrote some church music and obtained experience as a singer and conductor...
in Rome.
In 1912 Vehanen gave his first performances as a concert pianist in Turku and Helsinki. He was soon after engaged as a soloist with major symphony orchestras through Scandinavia and in Great Britain. He became a popular accompianist who was sought after by many famous singers due to his sensitive and skilful playing. He enjoyed particularly fruitful partnerships with Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson
Marian Anderson was an African-American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century...
, Aino Ackté
Aino Ackté
Aino Ackté was a Finnish soprano. She was the first international star of the Finnish opera scene after Alma Fohström, and a groundbreaker for the domestic field....
, Maike Järnefelt, Antti Aune, Helge Lindberg
Helge Lindberg
Helge Igor Lindberg was a Finnish opera singer who was a popular concert singer in the 1920s throughout Europe. He was also a sculptor.From Musica Fennica :...
and Titta Ruffo
Titta Ruffo
Titta Ruffo , born as Ruffo Titta Cafiero, was an Italian opera star who had a major international singing career. Known as the "Voce del leone" , he was greatly admired, even by rival baritones, such as Giuseppe De Luca, who said of Ruffo: "His was not a voice, it was a miracle" Titta Ruffo (9...
. He also performed regularly with soprano Maria Signe Liljequist (1876-1958), whom he was married to from 1924-1929.
Vehanen died in Turku in 1957 at the age of 69.
Works
- Mestarilaulaja Helge Lindberg, Kirja 1929
- Marian Anderson: A Portrait, WSOY 1941
- Rapsodia elämästä, WSOY 1944
- Muistojen mosaiikkia, WSOY 1944
- Markiisitar ja muita muistelmia, Kanervan Kustannusliike 1949