Biography

Melartin was born on February 7, 1875, in Käkisalmi, Karelia, a region located in southeastern Finland. From 1892 to 1899, he studied composition under Martin Wegelius at the Helsinki Music Institute. From 1899 to 1901, he studied abroad in Vienna, honing his skills under Robert Fuchs. After returning to Finland, he began teaching at the Helsinki Music Institute in 1901. In 1903, 1905, and 1907, he held concerts of his own works, premiering his Symphonies No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3.

Career as Conductor and Educator

From 1908 to 1911, he served as conductor of the Viipuri Orchestra. During this period, at a concert in 1909, he conducted the Finnish premiere (and Nordic premiere) of Mahler's Symphony No. 2.

From 1911 to 1936, he served as director of the Helsinki Music Institute. As director, Melartin aimed to reform the institute and reorganized its structure. In 1912, he established the opera department, and in 1914, he opened specialized departments for all orchestral instruments. He also established a student orchestra, introduced Dalcroze Eurhythmics, and in 1921, founded a training program for school music teachers. In 1926, he integrated the military band department. The institute's name was changed to the Helsinki Music Academy following the departmental reorganization. As an educator, Melartin significantly influenced all generations of the Finnish music scene. Prominent composers among his successors include:

• Aarre Merikanto
• Yrjö Kilpinen
• Väinö Raitio
• Ilmari Hannikainen
• Uuno Klami
• Sulho Ranta
• Helvi Leiviskä

Works and Style

As a composer, Melartin is known for being highly prolific. He composed in a wide range of genres, including symphonies, orchestral suites, chamber music, piano works, and songs. Representative works include the orchestral suite "Sleeping Beauty" Op. 22 (1904), the opera "Aino" Op. 50 (1907-08), and the ballet music "The Blue Pearl" Op. 160 (1928-1930). He completed six symphonies (Nos. 7 and 8 are unfinished). His style ranges widely from national romanticism to impressionism and expressionism. Influenced by late 19th-century Viennese music, he also composed atonal works.

Piano Works and General Characteristics

He wrote 400 piano pieces. Representative works include:

• "The Garden of Sorrow" Op. 52 (1908)
• "Poetic Pieces" Op. 59 (1909)
• "24 Preludes" Op. 85 (1913-1920)
• Piano Sonata "Apocalyptic Fantasy" Op. 111 (1920-1922)
• "Six Pieces" Op. 118 (1923)

His piano works exhibit a poetic and sentimental expression characteristic of Nordic music, showing the influence of Grieg. They are lighter than Sibelius's works and possess a Nordic impressionistic style. On the other hand, he studied the works of Russian composers and demonstrated a use of harmony that was conscious of Scriabin, who was roughly his contemporary.

Melartin was highly erudite and possessed a broad and rich education. He studied numerous fields, including painting, photography, art history, linguistics, Indian philosophy, and theology. His compositions also express a profound intellect underpinned by his extensive knowledge.