# Joonas Kokkonen (1921-1996)

> Joonas Kokkonen, composer – 10 recordings on Ondine. Joonas Kokkonen was one of the dominant figures of the post-war history of Finnish musical life. Of all…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/kokkonen-joonas

- **Role:** Composer
- **Dates:** 1921-1996
- **Photo:** © FIMIC

## Biography

Joonas Kokkonen was one of the dominant figures of the post-war history of Finnish musical life. Of all modern Finnish composers, he may be said to most resemble Sibelius in the deepest sense: in the way his musical forms grow and demonstrate their organic unity over the course of an entire movement or work. He was also instrumental in establishing a foundation for a true Finnish national opera, and his single contribution to the genre, The Last Temptations, remains one of the outstanding 20th century works for the lyric stage. Kokkonen is also known for his famous Cello Concerto and his Requiem. He composed four symphonies in all.

## Works

- Symphony No. 4 (1971)
- Symphony No. 1 (1960)
- Minun on vielä ennen kuolemaani (I Have Yet Before I Die)
- Metsän joulu
- Lux Aeterna
- Legenda
- Jouluna
- En saa ovea auki (I Can’t Open The Door)
- "... durch einen Spiegel..." - Metamorphosis for 12 Strings
- String Quartet No. 3 (1976)
- Symphony No. 3 (1967)
- Cello Concerto (1969)
- Symphony No. 2 (1961)
- Opus sonorum (1964)

## Discography on Ondine (10)

- [Finland 100: A Century of Finnish Classics · 5 CD collection celebrating 100 years of Finland's independence · Orchestral Works I & II · Concertos · Vocal Works · Chamber Music](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1300-2q.md): Various Finnish artist, orchestras and conductors (ODE 1300-2Q, 2016)
- [Joonas Kokkonen: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2 · Opus sonorum](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1129-2.md): Finnish RSO · Sakari Oramo, conductor (ODE 1129-2, 2009)
- [Joonas Kokkonen: Cello Concerto · Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1098-2.md): Marko Ylönen, cello · Finnish RSO · Sakari Oramo, conductor (ODE 1098-2, 2007)
- [Joulu tullut on](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1036-2.md): Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo soprano · Musica Choir · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Ulf Söderblom, conductor (ODE 1036-2, 2003)
- [A Century of Finnish Chamber Music: Live from the Kuhmo Festival](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-984-2s.md): Various Artists (ODE 984-2S, 2002)
- [A Tribute to Martti Talvela](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-945-2.md): Martti Talvela, bass · Various Pianists · Finnish RSO · Various Conductors (ODE 945-2, 1999)
- [Joonas Kokkonen: "... durch einen Spiegel..." · Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-860-2.md): Finnish RSO · Paavo Berglund, conductor (ODE 860-2, 1996)
- [Society of Finnish Composer's 50th Anniversary, Vol. 1 · Usko Meriläinen · Mikko Heiniö · Erkki Jokinen · Joonas Kokkonen: String Quartet No. 3 · Piano Quintet · String Quartet No. 4 · Piano Quintet](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-865-2.md): Avanti! Quartet · Jaana Kärkkäinen, piano (ODE 865-2, 1995)
- [Music in Helsinki Cathedral](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-787-2.md): Seppo Murto, organ (ODE 787-2, 1992)
- [Helsinki - A Musical Promenade: Musical CD + map](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1114-2.md): Mikko Franck, conductor · Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Tuomas Hannikainen, conductor · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Marko Ylönen, cello · Matti & Sinikka Kontio, kantele · Leif Segerstam, conductor · Pekka Kuusisto, violin · Helsinki Chamber Choir · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Soile Isokoski, soprano · Timo Nuoranne, conductor · Seppo Murto, organ (ODE 1114-2, 2008)

## Links

- [Fennica Gehrman](http://www.fennicagehrman.fi/comp_kokkonen.htm)
- [Finnish Music Information Centre](http://www.fimic.fi/kokkonen)