Complete Piano Works

Janne Oksanen · Toivo Kuula

2019 · ABCD 445

Credits

Performers: Janne Oksanen — Piano
Composers: Toivo Kuula

About this release

The young and talented pianist Janne Oksanen presents Toivo Kuula's entire piano production on his debut album. Recorded on Järvenpää hall's Steinway grand piano, the album sounds rich in tone and lush, finally bringing Kuula's piano works to their rightful value. The album contains all of Kuula's best-known songs such as Häämarssi, Lambaanpolska and Satukuvia, as well as many forgotten gems. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918) is still one of the most significant and personal Finnish composers, whose music contains exceptional poetry, depth and sense of style. During his lifetime, Kuula was considered the most skilled composer in Finland, who could only be surpassed by Sibelius, who was 20 years older. The album's 20 songs present a versatile palette of Kuula's compositional identity, and there are unforgettable melodies, heartbreaking stories and top-class pianism. Oksanen (b. 1994), who has performed a lot in Europe and the United States, says: "The road leading to the recording was like a snowball effect. Originally, I was supposed to perform Kuula's piano works only once at Sibafest 2018. However, the performance aroused a lot of interest and I ended up playing the songs in 7-8 cities. I received so much positive feedback from these performances that I realized there was a need for a record: it would almost have to be done just because of its significant cultural value." In addition to the detailed program texts written by Oksanen, the album has a rare treat of the composer's granddaughter Markku Marttinen's memoirs about Kuula's music. Marttinen: "Janne's concert in the Camerata hall of Musiikkitalo was a great experience for me. There can be no better gift for Finnish music lovers than to have these performances now also on record."

Tracks

1.Elegia - Elegy op. 3b no. 1comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001633:27
2.Häämarssi - Wedding March op. 3b no. 2comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001645:03
3.Pikku gavotti - Little Gavotte op. 3b no. 3comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001653:23
4.Virta venhettä vie - The Current Carries The Boat op. 37 no. 1comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001664:06
5.Barcarolle - Barcarolle op. 37 no. 2comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001671:46
6.Air varié - Air variécomp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001682:39
7.Invention - Inventioncomp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001691:00
8.Vanha syyslaulu - Old Autumn Song op. 24 no. 3comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001701:30
9.Schottis - Schottiscomp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001713:14
10.Juhlamarssi - Festive March op. 13bcomp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001728:29
11.Piirileikki - Round Dance op. 26 no. 1comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001731:23
12.Paimentunnelma - Pastoral op. 26 no. 2comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001743:48
13.Tanssi-improvisationi - Dance Improvisation op. 26 no. 3comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001752:31
14.Nocturne - Nocturne op. 26 no. 4comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001766:30
15.Rauha - Adagio op. 26 no. 5comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001773:51
16.Surumarssi - Funeral March op. 26 no. 6comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001786:21
17.Lampaanpolska - La Foliacomp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001794:44
18.Satukuva - Fairytale Picture op. 19 no. 1comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001805:46
19.Satukuva - Fairytale Picture op. 19 no. 2comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001815:15
20.Satukuva - Fairytale Picture op. 19 no. 3comp. Toivo Kuula (1883-1918)ISRC FIABA19001825:14

Reviews

As a whole these 20 pieces portray a versatile palette of different stages of Kuula’s life, from teenage sketches (Air varié) to impressionistic moods from Paris (Fairytale Picture no 2).
Records International · October 2, 2019
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Janne Oksanen spielt sehr ausdrucksvoll und wird den vielfältigen Stimmungen der 20 Werke gerecht.
Pizzicato · Remy Franck · October 7, 2019
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Oksanen does a wonderful job of shedding light on much neglected but worthwhile repertoire.
American Record Guide · Sang Woo Kang · February 13, 2020
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Geburtstag spielte Janne Oksanen das gesamte Klavierwerk Kuulas mit einer Spielzeit von etwa 80 Minuten auf CD ein.
The New Listener · Oliver Fraenzke · February 19, 2020
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In comparison, despite my enjoyment of Jouni Somero’s recording, I find Janne Oksanen’s performance to be more concise and preferable, this is young man’s music, Kuula was only 35 when he was killed, and this is a more spirited and ‘young’ performance, one which makes the most of the Nordic fervour whilst leaning towards the French impressionists, and the young man making his mark in the world.
MusicWeb International · Stuart Sillitoe · February 21, 2020
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Oksanen does a splendid job of bringing this music into a new light.
Fanfare · Peter Burwasser · March 12, 2020
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Suuri kunnianosoitus Kuulan pianotuotannolle
Levyt
TOIVO KUULA
Piano Works
Janne Oksanen, piano
Alba
Vaikka Toivo Kuula ehti ennen kuolemaansa toteuttaa vain noin kymmenen vuoden aktiivisen säveltäjäuran, on hänen merkityksensä Suomen musiikkielämässä suuri. Kuulan musiikki on kansanomaista ja helposti lähestyttävää. Äänitteellä kuultavat pianoteokset antavat kattavan kuvan hänen tuotannostaan.
Pianisti Janne Oksanen on saavuttanut levyllä erinomaisesti säveltäjän runollisuuden ja…
Jari Pitkänen Keskisuomalainen 17.9.2019