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Aulis Sallinen

Aulis Sallinen (born April 9, 1935 in Salmi, Finland) is a Finnish composer. Sallinen studied at the Sibelius Academy 1955-1960, with the teachers Aarre Merikanto and [a=Joonas Kokkonen]. After graduating, he was appointed as administrator of the Finnish [a=Radion Sinfoniaorkesteri] (1960-69). He also was the Secretary and member of the Board (1958-73), then Chairman (1971-73) of the Finnish Composers' Society; member of the board of TEOSTO (Finnish copyright society) from 1970-84, then Chairman from 1988-90; he also served for several years on the Board of the Finnish National Opera. He is a member of the Royal Swedish Music Academy and Honorary Doctor of the Universities of Helsinki and Turku. The Finnish Government made him Professor of Arts for life in 1981 - the first appointment of its kind, thus making it possible for him to devote all of his time to composing. Sallinen has written 6 operas, 8 symphonies, a violin concerto and several chamber works. His most known operas include 'The Horseman', 'Kullervo' and 'The Red Line'. He has also composed the title track of [a=Kronos Quartet]'s album 'Winter Was Hard'.