Järnefelt, (Edvard) Armas (1869–1958)

Finnish composer. He is chiefly known for his ‘Praeludium’ (1907) and the lyrical ‘Berceuse’ (1909) for small orchestra, from music for the drama The Promised Land.

After studying under Martin Wegelius, Ferruccio Busoni, and Jules Massenet in Helsinki, Berlin, and Paris respectively, he conducted at various German theatres and in Helsinki, Finland, 1898–1903. He was appointed conductor of the Opera there in 1903 and was conductor in Stockholm, Sweden, 1907–32. He often conducted works by Sibelius and gave the first Swedish performances of works by Mahler and Schoenberg.

Works incidental music to The Promised Land; choral works; orchestral music including Praeludium (1907) and Berceuse (1909) for small orchestra; songs.