Armas Järnefelt was born in Viborg, Finland, on August 14, 1869. He
studied music in Helsingfors with Ferruccio Busoni and Martin Wegelius;
in Berlin with A. Becker; and in Paris with Massenet. Beginning with
1898, and for several years thereafter, he conducted opera performances
in Viborg and Helsingfors. In 1907 he settled in Sweden where three
years later he became a citizen. There he became court composer and the
conductor of the Royal Opera. After returning to Helsingfors in 1932, he
directed the Opera for four years and the Helsingfors Municipal Theater
for one. He also appeared as guest conductor of many important Finnish
orchestras, distinguishing himself particularly in performances of music
by Jean Sibelius (his brother-in-law). In 1940, Järnefelt received the
official title of Professor. He died in Stockholm in June 1958.
Järnefelt wrote many works for orchestra, including suites, overtures,
and shorter works. One of the last is _Berceuse_ for two clarinets, one
bassoon, two horns, violin solo and strings (1905), a moody and
sensitive piece of music. The romantic main melody appears in solo
violin after four introductory bars for muted strings.
His most popular composition is the _Praeludium_ for chamber orchestra.
It opens with a three-measure introduction for plucked strings. This is
followed by a brisk march subject for oboe which is soon discussed by
other winds, and after that by the violins over a drone bass. A passage
for solo violin leads to the return of the march melody.