11 Facts About Kalevi Aho

Kalevi Ensio Aho was born on 9 March 1949 and is a Finnish composer.

Kalevi Aho soon was taken under the tutelage of Martti Loikkanen, the boy's 4th grade teacher and founder of a local youth mandolin ensemble in Forssa.

Kalevi Aho progressed so fast on the instrument that Loikkanen suggested he study the violin as well, with Loikkanen giving him private lessons.

Kalevi Aho moved from the city of Forssa to Helsinki in September 1968 to study at the Sibelius Academy.

Kalevi Aho studied composition at the Sibelius Academy under Einojuhani Rautavaara, beginning that year and receiving a diploma in 1971.

Kalevi Aho continued his studies for a year in Berlin with Boris Blacher.

Kalevi Aho's teaching positions include music theory at the University of Helsinki from 1974 to 1988, and a professorship at the Sibelius Academy from 1988 to 1993.

Kalevi Aho was named composer-in-residence for the Lahti Symphony Orchestra in 1992, and conductor Osmo Vanska has recorded many of his recent large-scale works with the orchestra.

Kalevi Aho has worked as a freelance composer, with a state scholarship, since 1993.

Kalevi Aho is foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

Kalevi Aho first came to fame with his first symphony and second string quartet.