Robert Kajanus (1856–1933)

Conductor, composer, and music teacher Robert Kajanus is one of the key figures in history of Finnish music. He began his musical studies in earnest in 1874 by studying to play the violin. He never became a violinist, however, perhaps due to being left-handed. Instead, he studied composition and orchestra conducting in Leipzig and Paris, among other places.

Upon his return from abroad to Helsinki, Kajanus founded the Helsinki Orchestra Association (later Orchestra of the Philharmonic Society; Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra 1914 onwards) and conducted it for 50 years. Kajanus also worked as a music teacher at the University of Helsinki between 1897 and 1926.

Kajanus and his orchestra often performed Jean Sibelius’ work – faithfully to Sibelius’ original ideas according to general consensus. Though the two were close friends, their relationship was tense at times. After all, both being composers, they were often compared. Their relations were particularly strained in the aftermath of Kajanus’ becoming a music teacher at the University of Helsinki, a position Sibelius also had applied for.