Kokkonen, Joonas (1921– )

Finnish composer. His early work was neoclassical in spirit; later influences were Bach, Sibelius, and Bartók. He was professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland, 1959–63.

He studied with Selim Palmgren and Tauno Hannikainen at the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki.

Works Opera Viimeiset Kiusauset/The Last Temptations (produced Helsinki, 1975; London, 1979).

Orchestral five symphonies (1960–82), Music for Strings (1957), cello concerto (1969).

Sacred Missa a cappella (1963), Requiem (1983).

Chamber piano trio (1948), three string quartets (1959, 1966, 1976), Sinfonia da camera for 12 strings (1962), ... durch einen spiegel for 12 strings and harpsichord (1977), Improvvisazione for violin and piano (1982), Il paesaggio for chamber orchestra (1987).