Selim Palmgren

Selim Palmgren was a Finnish composer, pianist, and conductor who made significant contributions to Finnish music. Born on 16 February 1878 in Pori, Finland, he studied at the Helsinki Conservatory and in Berlin with renowned teachers like Ansorge, Berger, and Busoni. Palmgren led Finnish choral and orchestral societies, and his successful tours as a pianist spanned Finland and Scandinavia. He also made a mark as a visiting conductor. In 1921, he moved to the United States to teach composition at the Eastman School of Music. He eventually returned to Finland, where he passed away in Helsinki at the age of 73, on 13 December 1951. His life was shared with his wife, the opera singer Maikki Järnefelt.