Two Scenes from the Opera Aino

Two Scenes from Erkki Melartin's opera "Aino", Op. 50 (1909), arranged for violin, viola and piano by Luukas Hiltunen (2025).

I. Aino’s aria at the birch tree
II. Väinö’s music scene

Duration: 14 minutes.

The year 2025 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Finnish composer Erkki Melartin (1875–1937). One of the leading figures in Finnish music of his generation, Melartin produced an extensive and varied body of work despite suffering throughout his life from serious ill health. His compositions encompass almost every major genre and include six symphonies; the opera Aino, Op. 50; The Blue Pearl, the first full-length Finnish ballet; a Violin Concerto; four string quartets; and more than 300 songs and 350 piano pieces. Under the pseudonym Eero Mela, he also wrote a number of popular songs for the opera singer Ture Ara.

Melartin’s best-known work is the Festive March from the incidental music to The Sleeping Beauty (1904), which has become one of Finland’s most popular wedding marches. His influence, however, extended well beyond composition. He was an important teacher and administrator who played a major part in the development of Finnish musical education. In 1911, he became director of the Helsinki Music Institute, now the Sibelius Academy, and oversaw a considerable expansion of its work. His composition pupils included Aarre Merikanto, Yrjö Kilpinen, Väinö Raitio, Ilmari Hannikainen, Uuno Klami, Sulho Ranta and Helvi Leiviskä.

Melartin was also a keen photographer, painter, gardener and collector. His interest in philosophy and theosophy strongly influenced his outlook and found expression in both his music and his collection of aphorisms, Minä uskon (I Believe), Op. 150.

His anniversary year was celebrated with concerts, recordings, publications and exhibitions. Among the most notable events were the National Library of Finland’s exhibition Towards the Heights and the publication of Tuire Ranta-Meyer’s biography Niin nuori, niin palava (So Young, So Passionate).

The present publication makes available chamber arrangements of two scenes from Melartin’s opera Aino: Aino’s Aria for the Birch Tree and Väinö’s Playing. I prepared the arrangements in April 2025 as part of the anniversary celebrations, with the support of a working grant from the Finnish Music Promotion Centre (MES).

Both scenes come from the opera’s second act. Aino’s Aria for the Birch Tree opens the act and forms a contemplative transition between the dramatic duel between Väinö and Joukahainen at the end of Act I and the wedding preparations that follow. Väinö’s Playing evokes the creation of the kantele, Finland’s traditional zither and national instrument.

In adapting the scenes for violin, viola and piano, my principal aim was to preserve the meditative character of Melartin’s original music. Where newly composed material was needed to create a coherent chamber texture, I sought to remain faithful to the atmosphere and expressive character of the opera.

Melartin described Aino as a “Kalevala mystery”, reflecting both its mythological subject and the influence of his theosophical beliefs. By presenting the scenes as self-contained chamber works, these arrangements invite the listener to enter directly into their contemplative and, at times, almost ecstatic world.

The arrangements received their first performance on 6 March 2026 at Lauttasaari Church, Helsinki, given by violinist Emi Otogao, violist Gregor Hrabar and pianist Marie-Thérèse Gleim.

Luukas Hiltunen
Helsinki