Wegelius, Martin

1846-

 

Contemporary Finnish conductor, composer and writer; director of the Conservatory and opera conductor at Helsingfors, Finland. He was born at Helsingfors, studied philosophy there, for awhile was conductor of the Academical Choral Society; continued the study of music in Vienna under Bibl, at Leipsic was under Richter and Paul. In 1878 he became conductor of the Finnish Opera at Helsingfors. He has rendered very valuable service as director of the Musical Institute and done much  to establish it on a firm foundation His compositions include pieces for the piano, an overture, rondo for piano and orchestra, a Christmas cantata, a spring festival cantata, songs and choral works of much beauty. He has published a text-book on harmony and an excellent short history of music.