Chydenius, Kaj (*1939) Finland

Kaj Oskar Chydenius was born in Kuusankoski, Finland, in 1939. Since 1957 he had been studying at the Sibelius Academy Helsinki and beginning in 1958, at the University of Helsinki. From 1981-82 he was a student at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
His compositional activity began around 1965. He was a central figure in the political song movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
In addition to stage music, film music and political songs, Chydenius' work also comprises solo songs, vocal cycles, choral works, chamber music, cantatas and oratorios.
Many of his compositions and commissioned works have been recorded and published by well-known interpreters.
For his musical work, Kaj Chydenius received several awards, such as the Finnish State Prize for Art in 2006.