Selim Palmgren (Feb. 16, 1878 - Dec. 13, 1951) was a Finnish composer, conductor, and pianist. At the age of 20, he traveled to Berlin to study with Conrad Ansorge (a student of Liszt) and also to Weimar where he had a masterclass with Ferrucio Busoni. Palmgren's successful career was planted firmly when he was the soloist for the premiere of his First Piano Concerto; it was met with acclaim. During a tour of the USA in 1919, he was offered a position at the Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, NY, teaching composition (Sibelius was offered this position earlier, but declined). Palmgren held the post from 1921 - 1926, and from 1939 until his death, he was professor of Composition at the Sibelius Academy Helsinki. As a composer, Palmgren's sound was very much late Romantic; there are sometimes hints of Schumann and Chopin in his writing. Palmgren also started to branch out in to more Impressionistic sounds; May Night is an example of that. Lyrical and elegant, this work has a mystical ambiance, with its simple twelve note theme, laid over enchanting chords.

Here are some recordings of this for you to enjoy!

Izumi Tateno
Jacques Mercier