Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This dissertation introduces the solo songs of two major Finnish composers, Toivo Kuula and Leevi Madetoja, and their position in Finland's living tradition of song. That this last may be understood, a survey of the song in Finnish history has been made. Of the many composers who have made significant contributions to modern Finnish solo song literature, Toivo Kuula and Leevi Madetoja have been chosen because their lives were parallel in many respects. They were both born in the same geographic area, Ostrobotbnia, Kuula in 1883 and Madetoja in 1887. They both studied in France at the beginning of this century and were influenced to some extent by French impressionism, and through the years their lives and music had many points of contact. This study begins with an overview of the lives and styles of the two composers. This is followed by a review of Finnish history and literature, a knowledge of which will give the reader more understanding of the development and significance of the country's music. The information concerning Finnish history and literature has been taken largely from secondary Finnish sources, many of which have not previously been available in English translation. For the study of the music, all of the songs were obtained fran the library of the Sibelius Academy in Finland and from private sources [TRUNCATED] / 2031-01-01

The Kalevala, first published in 1835 by Elias Lönnrot, is the Finnish national epic and was fundamental in formalizing the Finnish language. It is a collection of stories Lönnrot collected over many years, pieced together to create a coherent epic. The stories in the Kalevala stem from an oral tradition, in which singing and music was integral. The stories in the epic contain many different characters, with Väinämöinen and his quest in to find a wife at the forefront. Other major characters discussed include Kullervo, Lemminkäinen, and Luonnotar. Extensive research exists about the history of the Kalevala itself, as well as its impact on music in Finland in the areas of pop music, symphonic music, choral music, and opera. However, little scholarship exists, regarding how the texts from the Kalevala have been incorporated into 19th and 20th century art song. The lack of research about the Kalevala in art song is due partly to the fact that no catalogue of related songs exists. Also, works based on the Kalevala are hard to obtain, as many are only available in manuscript form, or are found only in the Finnish National Archives. This essay aims to bridge the research gap on art song inspired by the Kalevala, while evaluating the works available in the context of their incorporation of the folk singing tradition that would have been used in the early performance of these Kalevala texts. Songs analyzed include works by Gabriel Linsén, Emil Kauppi, Jean Sibelius, Otto Kotilainen, and Erkki Melartin.