Erik Tawaststjerna
Humanist of the day

Erik Tawaststjerna

Erik Tawaststjernasta could well have become a mathematician, but a disposition towards the humanities and his musical talent were to hold sway. For many, Tawaststjerna is chiefly associated with the life of Finland’s national composer, Jean Sibelius, which he brought so vividly to life on the radio from the 1960s on. As a person he was decidedly self-possessed. He was pedantic in his working habits but otherwise courteous and genuinely interested in the people he met. His charming presence is remembered by many who knew him.

Erik Tawaststjerna

Born October 10, 1916, Mikkeli. Died January 22, 1993, Helsinki.

Master of Arts, 1958, Licentiate of Philosophy, 1959, Doctor of Philosophy, 1960, University of Helsinki.

Professor of Musicology 1960-83, University of Helsinki
Writings and critical music reviews for various newspapers incl. Helsingin Sanomat, Huvudstadsbladet, SNS-Kansan Sanomat, 1943-89
Chairman of the board, 1970-80, Sibelius Academy
Tieto-Finlandia Prize (for best work of non-fiction), 1989

Written by Tero Juutilainen
Translated by John Calton
Photo: Department of Musicology, University of Helsinki

Needs must - From Pianist to Academic

Erik Tawaststjerna is best known for his biography of Jean Sibelius, but in the 1930s he showed promise as a young scientific, even a mathematician. At the last his studies in mathematics gave way to the young student’s career as a concert pianist. It was not for at least…

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Sibelius and Erik

Erik Tawaststjerna was famous even before his appointment as professor. He had started as a music critic for the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper a few years earlier and continued writing for the paper until the end of the 1980s. He was also an internationally renowned pianist and had studied the piano…

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