Oskar Merikanto

[1][2][3] As a composer, Merikanto was primarily a miniaturist, and his extensive œuvre [fi] includes songs and piano pieces (he wrote over 100 of each).

[citation needed] He was born in Helsinki, the son of Frans Ferdinand Ala-Kanto (his surname is also reported as Aittomäki) from Jalasjärvi, South Ostrobothnia and Anna Helena Merikanto (née Tammelin).

[5] He studied for some time at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, where his teachers were Carl Reinecke, Theodor Coccius, Robert Papperitz, Willy Rechenberg and Gustav Schreck.

[6] He was notable for his variety of talents – he gave concerts all around Finland, performing on the piano and organ, conducting orchestras, and composing original music.

Merikanto's style is reminiscent of Finnish folk songs, but has its basis in Italian bel canto.