Finnish music stars born in 1956
Here are 7 famous musicians from Finland were born in 1956:
Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Jukka-Pekka Saraste (April 22, 1956 Lahti-) also known as Saraste, Jukka-Pekka is a Finnish conductor, violinist and music director.
His most recognized albums: Scriabin: Prometheus / Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 4 / Stravinsky: Concerto for piano and wind instruments, , The Cello Symphonies, Concerto in F major for 2 Bassoons & Orchestra / 2 Sinfonias, Kullervo Symphony, , Symphonies 1-7, Lemminkäinen Suite / Night Ride and Sunrise, Symphonies 2 & 4 and . Genres: Classical music.
Jukka-Pekka Saraste began his musical training at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he studied violin and conducting. He later went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. In 1983, he won the prestigious International Conducting Competition in Besançon, France, which launched his international career.
Throughout his career, Saraste has held a variety of high-profile conducting positions, including the Principal Conductorship of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as the Chief Conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra in Cologne, Germany.
Saraste is known for his ability to bring out the best in both orchestras and soloists, and has collaborated with many of the world's leading musicians. He is particularly acclaimed for his interpretations of the music of Jean Sibelius, and has recorded all of Sibelius's symphonies with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to his work as a conductor, Saraste is also an accomplished violinist and has performed as a soloist with many leading orchestras. He is recognized as a champion of contemporary music, and has premiered works by many leading composers.
Throughout his career, Saraste has been the recipient of many awards and honors for his contributions to music, including the Pro Finlandia medal and the Order of the Lion of Finland.
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Sakari Kuosmanen
Sakari Kuosmanen (September 6, 1956 Helsinki-) also known as Kuosmanen, Sakari, Saku Kuosmanen or Sakari Jyrki Kuosmanen is a Finnish singer and actor.
His albums include Pieni sydän, Onnen lyhteitä, Sakari Kuosmanen, Suomihuiput, Ihana elämä, and .
In addition to his successful music career, Sakari Kuosmanen has also appeared in numerous films and television series. He has won several awards for his acting, including a Jussi Award (the Finnish equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Supporting Actor in the film "The Man Without a Past." Kuosmanen is also known for his humanitarian work, having been actively involved with charities such as Amnesty International and UNICEF. He has been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 2008. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and spending time with his family.
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Markku Peltola
Markku Peltola (July 12, 1956 Helsinki-December 31, 2007 Kangasala) also known as Peltola, Markku or Markku Juhani Peltola was a Finnish actor and musician.
His discography includes: Buster Keatonin ratsutilalla and Buster Keaton tarkistaa lännen ja idän.
Peltola began his acting career in the 1980s, and appeared in numerous Finnish films and television shows. He was best known for his role in the 2002 film "The Man Without a Past," directed by Aki Kaurismaki, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. Peltola's performance in the film earned widespread critical acclaim and established him as one of Finland's most respected actors.
In addition to his work as an actor, Peltola was also a musician, and played in several bands during his career. He released two albums of music inspired by the silent film actor Buster Keaton, which showcased his skills as a guitarist and composer.
Peltola tragically passed away on December 31, 2007 at the age of 51. His death was mourned by the Finnish film and music communities, who remembered him as a talented and versatile artist who left a lasting impact on Finnish culture.
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Arto Melleri
Arto Melleri (September 7, 1956 Lappajärvi-May 13, 2005) also known as Arto Matti Vihtori Melleri or Melleri, Arto was a Finnish writer, poet, screenwriter, actor and lyricist. He had two children, Vera Melleri and Sara Melleri.
Discography: Mau-Mau.
Arto Melleri was born and raised in Lappajärvi, Finland. He studied literature and drama at the University of Helsinki and began his career as a writer in the 1980s. Melleri was known for his experimental and surrealistic works, which blended poetry, prose, and visual art. He published numerous collections of poetry and prose, including "Maan aaveet" (Earth's Ghosts) and "Karkkipäivä" (Candy Day), as well as a novel, "Kivimies" (Stone Man).
Melleri was also active in the Finnish film industry as a screenwriter and actor. One of his best-known works was the screenplay for the 1994 film "Kauas pilvet karkaavat" (Drifting Clouds), directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Melleri also acted in this and other films, including "Tulitikkutehtaan tyttö" (The Match Factory Girl) and "Juha".
In addition to his writing and film work, Melleri was a musician and lyricist. He played guitar and sang in the punk band Mau-Mau, which released several albums in the 1980s and 1990s. Melleri wrote lyrics for the band and other artists, including Ismo Alanko and Pekka Ruuska.
Despite his prolific and varied career, Melleri struggled with alcoholism and depression. He died by suicide in 2005 at the age of 48.
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Jouni Kaipainen
Jouni Kaipainen (November 24, 1956 Helsinki-) otherwise known as Kaipainen, Jouni is a Finnish , .
Related albums: From Equinox to Solstice": Concertos for Saxaphone Quartet and Orchestra.
Jouni Kaipainen was a renowned composer, known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. He studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and later continued his studies in Freiburg, Germany. Kaipainen's compositions were influenced by various forms of art such as literature, philosophy, and visual arts. He was recognized for his unique style, which blended traditional classical music with modern advancements in music technology.
Over the years, Kaipainen produced numerous works that were performed in various parts of the world. Some of his notable compositions include symphonies, chamber music, and operas. He was also a teacher at the Sibelius Academy and a mentor to many young composers. In 1991, he won the Nordic Council Music Prize recognizing his contributions to Nordic music. Kaipainen is considered to be one of the most influential Finnish composers of his generation.
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Raoul Bjorkenheim
Raoul Bjorkenheim (February 11, 1956 Los Angeles-) also known as Raoul Björkenheim is a Finnish film score composer and guitarist.
His albums: Apocalypso, , Scorch trio, Ritual, Revelator, DMG @ The Stone, Volume 2, The Sky Is Ruby, Shadowglow and Primal Mind: UMO Plays the Music of Raoul Björkenheim, Live in Helsinki 1991.
Bjorkenheim was born in Los Angeles, but raised in Finland where he began playing guitar at the age of eight. He later studied film scoring and music arranging at the Helsinki Pop & Jazz Conservatory in the late 1970s, before moving to New York to attend the Berklee College of Music.
After returning to Finland, he became a well-known figure in the Finnish jazz and rock scenes, collaborating with a number of respected musicians including Billy Cobham, Edward Vesala, and Henry Kaiser. He also began composing scores for films, television, and theater productions.
Bjorkenheim's music is often described as a blend of jazz, rock, and avant-garde, with a focus on improvisation and experimentation. He has released numerous albums both as a solo artist and with various ensembles such as Scorch Trio, Ecstasy, and Krakatau. In addition to his work as a musician and composer, Bjorkenheim is also a respected lecturer and educator, giving master classes and workshops around the world.
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Pate Mustajärvi
Pate Mustajärvi (July 12, 1956 Tampere-) a.k.a. Pate Mustajarvi or Mustajärvi, Pate is a Finnish musician, singer and drummer.
His albums: Lago Nero, Ikurin turbiini, Vol. 4, Ukkometso, Ajan päivin, ajan öin, , , , Sydän on sinivalkoinen and Musta. Genres he performed include Rock music.
Pate Mustajärvi rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead vocalist of the popular Finnish rock band called Popeda. He also played the drums for the band during their early years. Popeda has released over 20 studio albums and their music is characterized by witty lyrics and energetic rock beats. Mustajärvi has also released several solo albums throughout his career and is known for his distinct deep voice and charismatic stage presence. In addition to his music career, Mustajärvi is also quite an accomplished actor, having appeared in several Finnish films and TV series. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential Finnish artists of all time and has a large and devoted fan following in his home country.
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