As a child the Finnish composer Leevi Madetoja learned to play the kantele, a Finnish folk-instrument. His later formal music teachers included Järnefelt, followed in Paris by Vincent d’Indy and Robert Fuchs in Vienna. In Finland he pursued a career as a composer and as a teacher at the Helsinki Music Institute.

Stage, Vocal and Instrumental Music
Madetoja is representative of Finnish music in the generation following Sibelius. His opera Pohjalaisia (‘The Ostrobothnians’) was followed by a ballet, Okon Fuoko, and a second opera, Juha. His orchestral works include three symphonies and suites from the two operas, with his Elegy enjoying some popularity, among shorter pieces. He left around 50 solo songs, as well as choral works and compositions for solo voices and orchestra.