Finnish music stars died at age 76
Here are 18 famous musicians from Finland died at 76:
Veikko Aleksanteri Heiskanen
Veikko Aleksanteri Heiskanen (July 23, 1895 Kangaslampi-October 23, 1971 Helsinki) otherwise known as Weikko A. Heiskanen was a Finnish scientist.
He is most prominently known for his work in geodesy, which is the science of measuring the size, shape, and gravitational field of the Earth. He is credited with developing new mathematical methods for geodetic measurements known as the "Heiskanen's theory." He also contributed significantly to the development of the gravity meter, which is used to measure variations in the strength of the Earth's gravitational field. In addition to his scientific work, Heiskanen served as a professor at the Helsinki University of Technology and was highly respected in his field. He received numerous awards for his contributions to geodesy and was elected as a foreign member of the United States National Academy of Sciences in 1962.
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Eero Mäntyranta
Eero Mäntyranta (November 20, 1937 Pello-December 30, 2013 Oulu) also known as Eero Mantyranta was a Finnish personality. He had four children, Iiris Mäntyranta, Minna Mäntyranta-Mustonen, Vesa Mäntyranta and Harri Mäntyranta.
Eero Mäntyranta was a highly successful athlete and is considered one of Finland's greatest cross-country skiers of all time. He won seven Olympic medals throughout his career, including three gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals. He also won seven medals at the World Championships, including four gold medals.
Mäntyranta's success in skiing was partly due to a rare genetic condition called polycythemia, which causes an increase in the number of red blood cells in the body. This increased the amount of oxygen his muscles could get, giving him an advantage over his competitors.
After retiring from skiing, Mäntyranta worked as a farmer and served as a member of the Finnish parliament. He was also known for his charity work, including establishing a foundation to support young cross-country skiers.
Mäntyranta passed away in 2013 at the age of 76 after a long battle with cancer.
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Robert Kajanus
Robert Kajanus (December 2, 1856 Helsinki-July 6, 1933 Helsinki) also known as Kajanus, Robert was a Finnish conductor and composer.
Discography: Finnish Rhapsody / Kullervo's Funeral March / Sinfonietta / Aino, Kajanus Conducts Sibelius, Volume 1 and .
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Kalevi Mononen
Kalevi Mononen (March 25, 1920 Savonranta-September 18, 1996) was a Finnish personality.
He was a painter and illustrator, best known for his illustrations of the Moomin books by Tove Jansson. Mononen's artwork was characterized by its bright and cheerful colors, and often featured scenes from Finnish countryside and nature. In addition to his illustrations, he also painted landscapes and still lifes, and held numerous solo exhibitions throughout his career. Mononen was a member of the Finnish Art Association and the Association of Finnish Illustrators, and received several awards and honors for his contribution to Finnish art and culture.
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Christian Rapp
Christian Rapp (May 22, 1928-July 4, 2004) was a Finnish personality.
He was best known for his work as a television presenter, producer, and director. Rapp was born in Helsinki, Finland, and began his career in radio before transitioning to television in the 1960s. He is credited with introducing many popular TV programs to Finnish audiences, including the long-running music show "Seija-ravintola." Rapp also directed and produced films, winning a Jussi Award for Best Director for his 1969 film "Jälkeen syntiinlankeemuksen." In addition to his work in entertainment, Rapp was also a renowned art collector and philanthropist, donating millions of dollars to various charitable causes throughout his life. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 76.
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Paavo Nurmi
Paavo Nurmi (June 13, 1897 Grand Duchy of Finland-October 2, 1973 Helsinki) also known as Paavo Johannes Nurmi or The Flying Finn was a Finnish athlete.
He is considered one of the greatest middle-distance and long-distance runners of all time, winning a total of nine gold and three silver medals in the Olympic Games between 1920 and 1928. Nurmi set 22 world records during his career and was known for his disciplined training regimen and meticulous attention to detail. He retired from competitive running at the age of 40 and became a successful businessman. Nurmi was also known for his integrity and sportsmanship, and he was a role model for generations of Finnish athletes. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the Olympic Order in 1952, and he was inducted into the International Olympic Committee's Hall of Fame in 1984.
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Hannes Kolehmainen
Hannes Kolehmainen (December 9, 1889 Kuopio-January 11, 1966 Helsinki) also known as Juho Pietari Kolehmainen was a Finnish athlete.
He was one of the most successful runners of the early 20th century and known as the "Flying Finn". Kolehmainen won four gold medals and one silver medal in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, setting world records in the 5000 metre and cross country events. He also won three gold medals at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics and a silver medal at the 1924 Paris Olympics. In addition to his Olympic success, Kolehmainen set multiple world records in middle and long distance running events. After retiring from athletics, he had a successful career as an entrepreneur and coach. Kolehmainen is considered a national hero in Finland and his legacy continues to inspire Finnish athletes to this day.
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Matti Järvinen
Matti Järvinen (February 18, 1909 Tampere-July 22, 1985 Helsinki) a.k.a. Matti Jarvinen was a Finnish personality.
He was a highly accomplished track and field athlete who specialized in the javelin throw. Järvinen won the gold medal in the javelin throw event at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, setting a new world record of 72.71 meters. He also won a silver medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, where he set a new Olympic record of 72.55 meters.
Järvinen was known for his unique and innovative technique of throwing the javelin, which involved a run-up that was longer than what was traditionally used at the time. Despite suffering from injuries throughout his career, he remained a dominant force in the sport, winning numerous national and international titles.
After retiring from competition, Järvinen became a coach and mentor to younger athletes in Finland. He was also involved in local politics, serving as a member of the Helsinki City Council for several years. Järvinen was widely regarded as a national hero in Finland and is remembered as one of the greatest athletes of his generation.
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Eino Penttilä
Eino Penttilä (August 27, 1906 Joutseno-November 24, 1982 Pori) also known as Eino Penttila was a Finnish personality.
He is most well-known as a composer and violinist, having composed several pieces of classical music that are still performed today. Penttilä's music was heavily influenced by the natural world and he often drew inspiration from the forests and lakes of Finland in his compositions.
Penttilä began his musical career as a child, receiving violin lessons from his father. He studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and later worked as a violinist with various orchestras, including the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In addition to his musical career, Penttilä was also an accomplished painter and writer. He wrote several books on nature and the environment, as well as a memoir about his own life and experiences.
Throughout his life, Penttilä remained committed to promoting Finnish culture and heritage. He was recognized for his contributions to the arts with numerous awards and honors, including the Order of the Lion of Finland.
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Daniel Juslenius
Daniel Juslenius (June 10, 1676 Finland-July 17, 1752) was a Finnish writer.
He is best known for creating the first Finnish dictionary, in which he compiled words and phrases from various dialects of Finnish and Latin. Juslenius also wrote several books on grammar, rhetoric, and linguistics, and was an important figure in the development of the Finnish language. In addition to his linguistic work, Juslenius was a professor of theology and philosophy at the University of Turku, and served as the Bishop of Turku for a time. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Sciences in Turku, and an advocate for education and literacy in Finland. His contributions to Finland's cultural and intellectual legacy are widely recognized and celebrated.
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Paavo Hukkinen
Paavo Hukkinen (October 27, 1911 Hanover-June 7, 1988 Helsinki) otherwise known as Paul Yrjö Untamo Hukkinen or Paul Hukkinen was a Finnish actor.
He began his acting career in the 1930s and went on to become an iconic figure in Finnish theatre and film. Hukkinen made his first film appearance in 1939 and continued acting in films until the late 1970s. He also appeared in numerous stage productions at the Helsinki City Theatre and the Finnish National Theatre. Hukkinen was known for his versatility as an actor, able to portray both tragic and comic roles. He was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal in 1967 for his contributions to Finnish culture. In addition to his acting career, Hukkinen was also a prominent political activist and was a member of the Finnish Communist Party.
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Seppo Kolehmainen
Seppo Kolehmainen (January 18, 1933 Pielavesi-February 23, 2009 Helsinki) was a Finnish actor.
Kolehmainen began his acting career in the 1950s and appeared in over 70 films and television series during his long and illustrious career. Some of his notable film credits include "Jäniksen vuosi" (The Year of the Hare), "Klaani" (The Clan), and "Täällä Pohjantähden alla" (Here, Beneath the Northern Star). He was also a prolific stage actor and performed in several plays at the Finnish National Theatre. Kolehmainen was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1985 for his contribution to Finnish culture.
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Antti Puhakka
Antti Puhakka (April 24, 1816-March 30, 1893) was a Finnish politician.
He was born in Tampere, Finland and studied law in Helsinki before embarking on a career in politics. Puhakka served as a member of the Finnish Parliament from 1867 to 1878, representing the Häme electoral district. During his tenure, he was known for advocating for Finnish national autonomy and working towards greater political rights for the Finnish people. Puhakka was also a pioneer in the Finnish cooperative movement and founded several agricultural cooperatives in his home region of Tampere. After leaving politics, he remained active in the cooperative movement and continued to write on political and agricultural issues until his death in 1893.
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Toivo Kärki
Toivo Kärki (December 3, 1915 Pirkkala-April 30, 1992 Helsinki) also known as Toivo Karki, Kärki, Toivo, Sulo Sointu, Vesa Lehti, Vasara, Markku Tienoja, Martti Ounamo, Antonio Brave, Pedro De Punta, Matti Metsä, C. Kaparov, W. Stone, Kari Aava, Topi, Orvokki Itä, Karl Stein, Esko Tuulimäki or Toivo Pietari Johannes Kärki was a Finnish composer, musician, music producer and music arranger. His children are Anna-Liisa Kärki, Kalervo Kärki and Pekka Kärki.
His discography includes: Hiljainen on kylätie, Musiikin mestareita: Ralleja - Laulelmien Kärki and Musiikin mestareita: Romantiikkaa - Iskelmien Kärki.
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Kaarlo Halttunen
Kaarlo Halttunen (August 18, 1909 Lappeenranta-March 8, 1986 Helsinki) also known as Kaarlo Einari Halttunen was a Finnish actor. He had three children, Elina Halttunen, Marjukka Halttunen and Pekka Kaarlo.
Kaarlo Halttunen began his acting career in the 1930s, appearing in several Finnish films such as "Lakki" and "Kulkurin valssi". He also appeared in stage productions, including plays by William Shakespeare and Anton Chekhov. Halttunen became a prominent actor in Finnish cinema during the 1940s and 1950s, and is considered one of the greats of Finnish film. He appeared in over 100 films throughout his career, including "The White Reindeer" and "When Father Was Away on Business". Halttunen won multiple awards for his contributions to Finnish cinema, including a Jussi Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1980.
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Leo Riuttu
Leo Riuttu (June 5, 1913 Tampere-August 4, 1989 Helsinki) also known as Leo Riutu or Leo Aukusti Riuttu was a Finnish actor.
Leo Riuttu began his acting career in the early 1930s, starting out in local theater productions in Tampere. He later moved to Helsinki where he made his film debut in the 1940 film "Fortuna". Over the course of his career, Riuttu appeared in over 70 films and television series, becoming one of Finland's most beloved actors.
In addition to his acting work, Riuttu was also an accomplished athlete and competed as a javelin thrower in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. He later became a respected sports journalist, writing for several Finnish newspapers and magazines.
Riuttu was known for his versatile acting abilities, appearing in both comedic and dramatic roles. He won several awards for his performances, including a Jussi Award for Best Actor in 1953 for his role in the film "Siltalan pehtoori".
Leo Riuttu remained active in the entertainment industry until his death in 1989 at the age of 76.
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Erik W. Tawaststjerna
Erik W. Tawaststjerna (October 10, 1916 Mikkeli-January 22, 1993 Helsinki) a.k.a. Erik Tawaststjerna was a Finnish musicologist and pianist. He had one child, Erik Tawaststjerna.
Tawaststjerna was known for his extensive research and publications on the life and works of the famous composer Jean Sibelius, including a six-volume biography that took him nearly 30 years to complete. He also worked as a professor of musicology at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and his expertise on Sibelius made him one of the leading scholars of Finnish music. As a pianist, Tawaststjerna performed extensively throughout Europe and recorded many of Sibelius' piano works. He was a respected authority on Finnish music and served as the president of the Society of Finnish Composers from 1963-1973. Tawaststjerna was awarded the Order of the Lion of Finland in 1963 and was posthumously awarded the Sibelius Medal by the Sibelius Society in 1993.
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Arvo Turtiainen
Arvo Turtiainen (September 16, 1904 Helsinki-October 8, 1980) was a Finnish poet and writer. He had one child, Eva Polttila.
Turtiainen began his literary career as a poet in the 1920s, and his early works were characterized by a romantic style. However, he gained wider recognition through his short stories and novels, particularly those that dealt with the experiences of the Finnish working class. He was also known for his translations into Finnish of the works of William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe.
In addition to his writing, Turtiainen was active in leftist political circles and was briefly involved in the Communist Party of Finland. During World War II, he was imprisoned by the Finnish authorities for his political beliefs. After his release, he returned to writing and became a prominent figure in Finland's literary scene in the post-war period.
Turtiainen was awarded numerous literary prizes during his lifetime, including the National Literature Prize in 1959. His work has been translated into several languages and continues to be read and studied today.
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