# Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)

> Toivo Kuula, composer – 24 recordings on Ondine. Toivo Kuula was a popular Finnish composer of vocal music, a colourful and passionate portrayer of Finnish…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/kuula-toivo

- **Role:** Composer
- **Dates:** 1883-1918
- **Photo:** © Society of Finnish Composers

## Biography

Toivo Kuula was a popular Finnish composer of vocal music, a colourful and passionate portrayer of Finnish nature and people. Born in the city of Vaasa (in those days Nikolainkaupunki), when Finland still was a Grand Duchy under Russian rule, Kuula died in the provincial hospital in Vyborg in 1918 at the age of only 35, after being mortally wounded 18 days earlier on Walpurgis Night. The bullet was fired as a result of a quarrel that happened in front of Hotel Seurahuone in conjunction with the first victory celebration of the white victory in the Civil War of Finland. Hence Kuula is frequently described as the 'tragic Romantic in Finnish music'.

On the other hand, the description also captures something of the flavour of his music, which is often replete with brooding pathos and overflowing sentiment. Kuula went on study trips to Italy, Germany and France and developed an interest in the Impressionism of Debussy. There are fleeting touches of Impressionism in his music, but for the most part his style is a flowing, nationally tinted brand of Romanticism.

Kuula was also an active collector of folk music and occasionally used folk tunes in his works. He made his breakthrough with two extensive and tempestuous chamber music works, the Violin Sonata in E minor (1907) and the Piano Trio in A major (1908). Before these, he had written a few solo songs - Syystunnelma ("Autumn Mood", 1904) and Aamulaulu ("Morning song", 1905) - that have since become classics.

Some of Kuula's later songs have also remained in the core repertoire. Perhaps the best-known of these is Tuijotin tulehen kauan ("Long I Stared into the Fire", 1907), which somehow captures the essence of his solo songs: the music begins in a static meditation, escalates to a powerful climax and then returns to the brooding mood of the opening.

## Works

- Yö nummella (Night on the Moor)
- Yli kukkien (She Walks on Flowers)
- Tule, armaani (Come, My Love)
- Tuijotin tulehen kauan (Long Gazed I into the Fire)
- Suutelo (The Kiss)
- Sinipiika (The Forest Maid)
- Piano Trio, Op. 7 (1908)
- Pappani maja
- Paimenet (The Herdsmen)
- Lyö sydän (Beat, My Heart)
- Luullahan jotta on lysti olla
- Lauantai-ilta (Saturday Evening)
- Kohtalo (Fate)
- Kesäyö kirkkomaalla (Summer Night in the Churchyard)
- Jääkukkia (Frost Flowers)
- Hae pois vaan sormukses
- Eteläpohjalaisia kansanlauluja (South Ostrobothnian Folk Songs)
- Epilogi (Epilogue)
- Ave Maria
- Aamulaulu (Morning Song)
- Karjapihassa (In the Cattleyard)
- Rukous
- Häämarssi (Wedding March) (arr. Eero Kosonen)
- Joululaulu (Sanaton laulu)
- Vappulaulu
- Syystunnelma (Autumn mood)
- 574 On kaunis synnyinmaamme
- Festive March, Op. 13
- Prelude and Fugue, Op. 10
- South Ostrobothnian Suite No. 1, Op. 9
- South Ostrobothnian Suite No. 2, Op. 20
- Yö (Night)
- Vanha syyslaulu (Autumn song)

## Discography on Ondine (24)

- [Leif Segerstam & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra: Sibelius Recordings (15 CD Box Set)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1500-2q.md): Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam (ODE 1500-2Q, 2025)
- [Leif Segerstam 80 Years: (Digital Album)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1470-2.md): Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra · Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra (ODE 1470-2, 2024)
- [Toivo Kuula: Festive March, Op. 13 · South Ostrobothnian Suites 1 & 2 · Prelude and Fugue, Op. 10](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1270-2.md): Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1270-2, 2015)
- [Karita Mattila: Helsinki Recital (ODV 4004)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/odv-4004.md): Duparc · Saariaho · Rachmaninov · Dvorák · Karita Mattila, soprano · Martin Katz, piano · + Bonus CD (Lieder By German and Finnish composers) (ODV 4004, 2010)
- [Soi kunniaksi Luojan](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1159-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1159-2, 2010)
- [Kiitosta soi lauluni: Kauneimpia hengellisiä lauluja](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1170-2d.md): Soile Isokoski · Karita Mattila · Jorma Hynninen · Sauli Tiilikainen · Esa Ruuttunen · Tapiolan Kuoro (ODE 1170-2D, 2010)
- [Kevätsointuja. Spring tunes](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1144-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1144-2, 2009)
- [Matti Salminen: Elämäni lauluja. A Finnish Songbook](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1135-2.md): Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · John Storgårds, conductor (ODE 1135-2, 2008)
- [Muistojen joulu. Nostalgic Christmas: (YLE Archives 1954-56)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1116-2.md): Sulo Saarits · Mauno Kuusisto · Peipposet · Radiokuoro · Tyttötertsetti · ja muita (ODE 1116-2, 2007)
- [Pictures from Finland: Kuvia Suomesta](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1112-2.md): Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor · Photo album + CD (ODE 1112-2, 2007)
- [Tommi Hakala: Tule, armaani · Songs by Toivo Kuula](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1087-2.md): Tommi Hakala, baritone · Kristian Attila, piano (ODE 1087-2, 2006)
- [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)
- [Tuo armon valkokyyhky. Tunnelmallisen joulun juhla (Christmas Carols)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-985-2.md): Johanna Rusanen, soprano · Finnish Radio Chamber Choir · Timo Nuoranne, conductor (ODE 985-2, 2001)
- [Gabriel Suovanen: Sydämeni laulut](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-954-2.md): Gabriel Suovanen, baritone · Ilkka Paananen, piano (ODE 954-2, 2000)
- [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)
- [Maan korvessa kulkevi lapsosen tie: (Sacred Songs)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-902-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Kari Ala-Pöllänen, conductor (ODE 902-2, 1997)
- [Jorma Hynninen: Minä laulan sun iltasi tähtiin (Summer Moods)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-880-2.md): Jorma Hynninen, baritone · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Ulf Söderblom, conductor (ODE 880-2, 1997)
- [Karita Mattila: From the Heart of Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-892-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano · Ilmo Ranta, piano (ODE 892-2, 1996)
- [Seasons of Finnish Lifestyle](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1152-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1152-2, 2009)
- [Finland. A Celebration of Music and Nature](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1053-2q.md): Various Finnish Artists (ODE 1053-2Q, 2008)
- [Land of the Midnight Sun: Music and Images from Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1093-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1093-2, 2006)
- [Excellence: The Artistry of Karita Mattila](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1054-2.md): Karita Mattila, soprano (ODE 1054-2, 2004)
- [Classical Images from Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1004-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1004-2, 2002)
- [Jorma Hynninen: Profile of a Great Career](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-944-2.md): Classic Stars Chamber Orchestra · Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra · Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor · Pekka Haapasalo, conductor · Jorma Hynninen, baritone · Kari Tikka, conductor · Ulf Söderblom, conductor · Pentti Koskimies, piano · Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra · Okko Kamu, conductor · Finnish National Opera Orchestra · Estonian Symphony Orchestra · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Ralf Gothóni, piano · Aira Johansson, piano · Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra · Jorma Panula, conductor · Joensuu City Orchestra · Eri Klas, conductor · Markus Lehtinen, conductor (ODE 944-2, 1999)

## Links

- [Finnish Music Information Centre](http://www.fimic.fi/kuul)
- [Toivo Kuula Society (Helsinki)](http://www.tks.pp.fi/)