Emergence of Music Festivals in Finland Saijaleena Rantanen

Emergence of Music Festivals in Finland Saijaleena Rantanen Sibelius Academy 30. 5. 2013

Rethinking ”Finnish” Music History Transnational Construction of Musical Life in Finland from the 1870 s until the 1920 s • Duration: 2011– 2015 • 4 members • Background o Historiography’s emphasis on the evolvement of a national music culture o “Finnish-ness” in music history research o Theleology • Different approach o We argue that the emerge and formation of the Finnish music and music life was a transnational process through which the musical styles, institutions, conventions and performance practices of the continental 19 th century Europe were: • Transferred to Finland • Transformed into the existing institutional frames of music • “Translated” to satisfy the needs of the bourgeoisie

• The project is not researching the history in Finnish music but the history of music in Finland • Transnational perspectives have exploded in quantity in the third millennium • Steven Vertovec (2009): ”Transnationalism is an outcome of globalization, a perspective from which it becomes possible to understand the complex, multicultural and mediated interaction between people, places and institutions. ”

Time Frame (1870 s to 1920 s) • Grand Duchy of Finland until 1917 • Crucial period: Almost all institutions on which the music life in the independent Finland was built saw their birth during that time • Constant interaction with continental music life and new aesthetic ideas from Europe

Objectives • The main goal to propose a non-theological and transnational interpretation of the emergence of the music life in Finland at the turn of the 20 th century • The point of view of musical agents of the time • Grass-root level activity • 4 different aspects: o The Emerge of “Finnish” Musical Language (e. g. in newspaper criticism, concert repertoires, liner notes and music itself) o Emergence of Music Festivals (Celebrating the “Finnish” Music) o Emergence of Musicology and Beginnings of Finnish Music Historiography o Changes in Musical Taste, Distinction Between “High” and “Low” music in Concert Repertory

Emergence of Music Festivals in Finland • First music festivals in Finland were organized at 1880 s • Main research material/references o o o 1. 2. 3. 4. Old newspapers Old literature Letters Diaries Sheet music Etc. Management/organizers Grass-root level Structure and ideological influences of the festivals What have changed?

Thank You!