Toivo Kuula

Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)

Nationality: Finnish
Born: July 7, 1883, Vaasa Died: May 18, 1918, Viipuri (age 34)

Piano Trio in A major, Op. 7

(for violin, cello and piano)
18:42 I. Moderato assai
6:26 II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio
12:52 III. Andante elegiaco
13:12 IV. Finale. Allegro vivace
Duration: 52 minutes (approximately)
Composed: 1907-1908 (age 23-25)
Premiere: October 7, 1908. Helsinki, University Solemnity Hall Viktor Nováček (violin), Carl Wasenius (cello), Sigrid Schneevoigt (piano)
Published: 1909, Helsinki: A. Apostol (age 25-26)
2 recordings, 8 videos
autoopen autoplay
18:27
Jaakko Kuusisto, Jan-Erik Gustafsson, Paavali Jumppanen
I. Moderato assai
6:24
Jaakko Kuusisto, Jan-Erik Gustafsson, Paavali Jumppanen
II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio
13:25
Jaakko Kuusisto, Jan-Erik Gustafsson, Paavali Jumppanen
III. Andante elegiaco
12:07
Jaakko Kuusisto, Jan-Erik Gustafsson, Paavali Jumppanen
IV. Finale. Allegro vivace
18:57
Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä, Tuomas Lehto, Roope Gröndahl
I. Moderato assai
6:27
Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä, Tuomas Lehto, Roope Gröndahl
II. Scherzo. Allegro con brio
12:19
Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä, Tuomas Lehto, Roope Gröndahl
III. Andante elegiaco
14:17
Kreeta-Julia Heikkilä, Tuomas Lehto, Roope Gröndahl
IV. Finale. Allegro vivace
From Edition Silvertrust

Toivo Kuula “Toivo Kuula's Piano Trio, which was published in 1910, though lengthy, nonetheless shows the hand of a real talent. Structurally following the classical tradition, the work shows the influence, to some extent of the German Romantics. In the first movement, Allegro moderato, the opening theme is characterized more by the unusual rhythms than the thematic material, however, the second subject, a kind of funeral music, is quite noteworthy. The Scherzo which follows is particularly well-done and the lovely, contrasting middle section which serves as a trio is also appealing. The third movement, Andante elegico, is full of beautiful touches. The main theme to the finale, Allegro vivace, has the character of a tarantella while the second subject is rather march-like."

—The famous chamber music scholar Wilhelm Altmann writing in his Handbook for Piano Trio Players.

Toivo Kuula (1883-1918) was born in the Finnish town of Vaasa, then part of the Russian empire, at that time known as the Grand Duchy of Finland. As a boy, he studied the violin and took singing lessons. Subsequently, he studied composition with Jean Sibelius. Though primarily known for his songs and choral works, he wrote several pieces for violin and piano as well as this piano trio which dates from 1909 at which time he was studying with Sibelius.

© Edition Silvertrust. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Related Composers

1900 WWI WWII Martin Wegelius (1846-1906) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Toivo Kuula (1883-1918) Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947)
Martin Wegelius (1846-1906)
Teacher
Nationality: Finnish
Born: November 10, 1846, Helsinki Died: March 22, 1906, Helsinki (age 59)
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Teacher
Nationality: Finnish
Born: December 8, 1865, Hämeenlinna Died: September 20, 1957, Järvenpää (age 91)
Leevi Madetoja (1887-1947)
Friend/Colleague
Nationality: Finnish
Born: February 17, 1887, Oulu Died: October 6, 1947, Helsinki (age 60)