Oscar Merikanto The Most Beautiful Songs
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: (Frans) Oskar Merikanto
Label: Finlandia
Magazine Review Date: 2/1997
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 76
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 1576-52204-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Bye bye, my sweet swaddled baby (Pai pai pa |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, To the Spring Birds in the South |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, Remembering |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Thou art a nugget of gold |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: 'No. 2, Why do I sing'? |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, Parable |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, When the sun shines |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, The Vallinkorva Song |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Singing my child to slumber |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Jaakko Ryhänen, Bass Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, Sing to me, girl! |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Jaakko Ryhänen, Bass Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, She walks on flowers |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jaakko Ryhänen, Bass Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, On the village road |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jaakko Ryhänen, Bass Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, Play softly, thou tune of my mourning |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, The wood doves |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, O dost thou remember that hymn |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jaakko Ryhänen, Bass Pentti Kotiranta, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Apple blossom |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 4, Ballad (Balladi) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, A singer at the gate of Heaven |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, Mezzo soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, Come with me |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pertti Eerola, Piano |
| Annina |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| O thanks to thee, my merciful Lord |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| (The) Happy Ones |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Aulikki Eerola, Soprano Pentti Kotiranta, Piano Sauli Tiilikainen, Baritone |
| Song of the Pedlar |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jaakko Ryhänen, Bass Pentti Kotiranta, Piano |
Composer or Director: (Frans) Oskar Merikanto
Label: Finlandia
Magazine Review Date: 2/1997
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 75
Mastering:
ADD
Catalogue Number: 1576-50021-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Thou art a nugget of gold |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: 'No. 2, Why do I sing'? |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, To the Spring Birds in the South |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, Remembering |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 4, The Thunderbird |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, The wood doves |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, Like the dying embers grow dark |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 4, At sea (wds. Erkko) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, Play softly, thou tune of my mourning |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Annina |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Good night (Hyvää yötä) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, Saturday evening |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, Come with me |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, She walks on flowers |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Bye bye, my sweet swaddled baby (Pai pai pa |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| My thoughts fly on the wings of longing |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, A singer at the gate of Heaven |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, At Nightfall (Illansuussa) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 3, In praise of youth (Nuoruuden ylistys) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 4, Ballad (Balladi) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 4, The weeping flute (Itkevä huilu) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 1, Apple blossom |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Songs, Movement: No. 2, O, where did mother's bird fly to (Oi, minntunen lensi) |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Worry |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
| Nocturne |
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer
(Frans) Oskar Merikanto, Composer Jorma Hynninen, Baritone Ralf Gothóni, Piano |
Author: hfinch
Oskar Merikanto (not to be confused with his son, Aare, of Juha fame) wrote the first ever Finnish opera, but is best remembered for some 150 songs, written in that gentle, lyrical national romantic vocal language which is uniquely Finnish. In concise, direct word-setting and fertile melody, constantly changing in response to a variety of verse forms, the songs tell, not surprisingly, of lapping water, rowing boats, stormy skies, love lost and found, and the eternal comforts of drink. Lighter and generally less searching than any of Sibelius’s songs, they hover elusively between art-song and folk-ballad.
In Jorma Hynninen’s performances, they become refined into art-song proper; in the voices of Eerola, Saarinen, Tiilikainen and Ryhanen, they seem to lean more towards the ballad. This is partly a matter of vocal casting, partly one of song selection. The two discs have 18 songs in common, and offer 14 each which are exclusive. Hynninen, for example, rises admirably to the demands of the stormy salon melodrama, The thunderbird, and to the heroic and substantial At sea. He also excels in the disturbed and disturbingO where did my mother’s bird fly to?, an oblique little Kindertotenlied, and in the beautifully alliterative cuckoo cradle-song, Singing to my little boy.
In the mixed recital, Sauli Tiilikainen’s less subtle, yet eloquent and resinous tenor is ideally suited to the wistful Fairy tale; Aulikki Eerola’s radiant soprano illumines the great northern thaw in When the sun shines; and Eeva-Liisa Saarinen’s mezzo intensely re-creates a journey “in the sleigh of sleep” in the Lullaby from the Kanteletar’s great collection of folk poetry. Jaakko Ryhanen, a true, sepulchral bass, comes into his own in the Karelian dialect Song of the Pedlar and in a gipsy song in which Finland shakes hands with Hungary, its Finno-Ugric cousin.
Each disc perfectly complements the other. But if you had to go for just one, the choice would be between the varied local palette and more consistent, immediate recorded sound of the “Song Album”, and the refined artistry of Hynninen and his pianist Ralf Gothoni in “The Most Beautiful Songs”. Nothing, though, can compare with moments like the last note of Hynninen’s Dying embers, perfectly poised in half-voice, or the spectral distance he brings to A singer at the gate of Heaven.'
In Jorma Hynninen’s performances, they become refined into art-song proper; in the voices of Eerola, Saarinen, Tiilikainen and Ryhanen, they seem to lean more towards the ballad. This is partly a matter of vocal casting, partly one of song selection. The two discs have 18 songs in common, and offer 14 each which are exclusive. Hynninen, for example, rises admirably to the demands of the stormy salon melodrama, The thunderbird, and to the heroic and substantial At sea. He also excels in the disturbed and disturbing
In the mixed recital, Sauli Tiilikainen’s less subtle, yet eloquent and resinous tenor is ideally suited to the wistful Fairy tale; Aulikki Eerola’s radiant soprano illumines the great northern thaw in When the sun shines; and Eeva-Liisa Saarinen’s mezzo intensely re-creates a journey “in the sleigh of sleep” in the Lullaby from the Kanteletar’s great collection of folk poetry. Jaakko Ryhanen, a true, sepulchral bass, comes into his own in the Karelian dialect Song of the Pedlar and in a gipsy song in which Finland shakes hands with Hungary, its Finno-Ugric cousin.
Each disc perfectly complements the other. But if you had to go for just one, the choice would be between the varied local palette and more consistent, immediate recorded sound of the “Song Album”, and the refined artistry of Hynninen and his pianist Ralf Gothoni in “The Most Beautiful Songs”. Nothing, though, can compare with moments like the last note of Hynninen’s Dying embers, perfectly poised in half-voice, or the spectral distance he brings to A singer at the gate of Heaven.'
Merikanto Song Album
Oscar Merikanto The Most Beautiful Songs
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