Toivo Timoteus Kuula (7 July 1883 – 18 May 1918) was aFinnish composer and conductor of thelate-Romantic andearly-modern periods, who emerged in the wake ofJean Sibelius, under whom he studied privately from 1906 to 1908. The core of Kuula's oeuvre are his many works for voice and orchestra, in particular theStabat mater (1914–18; completed byMadetoja),The Sea-Bathing Maidens (1910),Son of a Slave (1910), andThe Maiden and the Boyar's Son (1912). In addition he also composed twoOstrobothnian Suites for orchestra and left an unfinished symphony at the time of his murder in 1918 in a drunken quarrel.[1][2]
He was born in the Vehkakoski village of the Alavus town and registered as a native in the city ofVaasa (then Nikolainkaupunki), when Finland still was aGrand Duchy underRussian rule. He is known as a colorful and passionate portrayer of Finnish nature and people.
Kuula becameJean Sibelius's first composition student. He is best remembered for his large output of melodic choir and vocal works. His instrumental works include twoOstrobothnian Suites for orchestra, a violin sonata, a piano trio, and an unfinished Symphony.[1] Kuula's major choral work is often considered the cantataStabat Mater, which was completed in spring 1915 (original version, later lost) but revised, beginning 1917 and unfinished at the time of his death. He also wrote a few dozen highly artistic piano works, and 24 songs, many of them first performed by his wife, the singerAlma Kuula.[3]
Kuula has been considered an even more talented composer than his teacher Sibelius.[2]
ASwedish critic once said that Kuula's music reaches parts of the human spirit where one is forced to deep examination of one's self.[citation needed]
Kuula was known to be a fierceFennoman. He died in the provincial hospital inViipuri in 1918 after being mortally wounded 18 days earlier onWalpurgis Night by a bullet fired by aJäger. The bullet was fired as a result of a quarrel that happened at the Hotel Seurahuone in conjunction with the first victory celebration of the White victory in theCivil War of Finland. Ironically, "Kuula" means "bullet" in Finnish. Kuula is buried inHietaniemi cemetery,Helsinki.
Toivo Kuula marriedAlma Silventoinen in 1914; the couple had one daughter, Sinikka, who later became a professional pianist.[4]
A simplified works list (by Joel Valkila) on the basis of Tero Tommila's Catalogue of Works:[5]
Op. 1 Violin Sonata
Op. 2 Five Songs for Voice and Piano (also arranged as chamber works)
Op. 3a Five Pieces for Violin and Piano: I. Cradle Song, II. Nocturne, III. Folk Song (I), IV. Folk Song (II), V. Scherzino
Op. 3b Three Piano Works: I. Elegy, II. Wedding March, III. Little Gavotte
Op. 3c Incidental Music to "Isä ja Tytär"
Op. 4 Seven Songs for Male Choir
Op. 5 Festive March for Chorus and Orchestra (or Brass)
Op. 6 Two Songs for Voice and Piano
Op. 7 Piano Trio
Op. 8 Two Songs for Voice and Piano
Op. 9 Ostrobothnian Suite No.1 for Orchestra: I. Pastorale, II. Folk Song, III. Ostrobothnian Dance, IV. Devil's Dance, V. Song of the Dusk (II. & III. also as arranged for Violin and Piano)
Op. 10 Prelude and Fugue for Orchestra
Op.11 Seven Songs for Chorus
Op.12 'Merenkylpijäneidot' ("Sea-Bathing Maids") for Voice and Orchestra/Piano
Op.13 Festive March for Orchestra/Piano
Op.14 'Orjan poika' ("Son of a Slave") – Symphonic Legend for Soprano, Baritone, Chorus and Orchestra (also 3-movement Suite for Orchestra)
Op.15 Cantata 'Kuolemattomuuden toivo' ("Hope for Immortality")
Op.16a Two Songs for Voice and Piano
Op.16b Two Pieces for Organ: I. Prelude, II. Intermezzo
Op.17a South Ostrobothnian Dance Suites I & II for Violin and Piano
Op.17b Twelve South Ostrobothnian Folk Dances for Voice/Violin and Piano
Op.17c Two Pieces for Violin and Piano: I. Scherzo, II. Melodia lugubre
Op.18 'Impi ja pajarin poika' ("The Maiden and the Son of a Blacksmith") for Voice and Orchestra/Piano
Op.19 Three Fairy-Tale Pictures for Piano
Op.20 Ostrobothnian Suite No.2 for Orchestra: I. Tulopeli, II. Rain in the Forest, III. Menuet, IV. Dance of the Orphans, V. The Devils Making Magic Flames
Op.21 Three Songs for Chorus
Op.22/1-2 Two Pieces for Cello and Orchestra: I. Chanson sans paroles, II. Elegy (Suru)
Op.22/1-2 Two Pieces for Violin/Cello and Piano: I. Chanson sans paroles, II. Elegy (Suru)
Op.22/3 Song for Voice and Piano
Op.23 Four Songs for Voice and Piano
Op.24 Four Songs for Voice and Piano
Op.25 Stabat Mater for Chorus and Orchestra (Note: Not left unfinished as has been stated)
Op.26 Six Piano Pieces: I. Round Dance, II. Pastorale Atmosphere, III. Dance Improvisation, IV. Nocturne, V. Rauha (Adagio), VI. Funeral March
Op.27a Eight Songs for Male Choir
Op.27b Nine Songs for Male Choir
Op.28/1-2 Two Pieces for Brass Orchestra: I. At the Mountain, II. A Tune
Op.28/4 March of the Cudgelmen for Choir and Orchestra (or a capella)
Op.29a Three Songs for Voice and Piano
Op.29b Four Songs for Choir
Op.29c Two Songs for Male Choir
Op.30a Incidental Music to 'Kandaules'
Op.30b Incidental Music to 'Medicit'
Op.30c Incidental Music to 'Taikapeili' ("The Magic Mirror")
Op.31a Two Songs for Voice and Orchestra/Piano
Op.31b Four Songs for Choir
Op.32 Incidental Music to 'Meripoikia' ("The Sea Boys")
Op.33 March of the Carburetors for Piano [unfinished]
Op.34a Seven Songs for Male Choir
Op.34b Three Songs for Chorus
Op.35 Three Songs Arrangements for Voice and Orchestra
