Kalevi Aho

Finland's Kalevi Aho is among the foremost contemporary composers. As of early 2021, his well-regarded, expansive catalog includes 17 symphonies, 35 concertos, five operas, and many other works. He is also a noted educator, conductor, and violinist. Aho taught musicology at Helsinki University and was a professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy. In 1992, Aho was named composer-in-residence of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra and was named composer laureate in 2012. In 2019, the Lahti Symphony premiered his Symphony No. 17 ("Sinfonisia freskoja"). In 2021, Aho wrote his fourth string quartet on commission from the Lounais-Hämeen Musiikkipäivät Festival. He has earned an ECHO Klassik Award, awards for composition, and the Pro Finlandia Medal. Also an accomplished author, he has published several essays and co-written the books Music of Finland and Uuno Klami - Life and Works.