Selim Palmgren

Selim Gösta Palmgren was born in Pori on February 16, 1878. After studying at the Helsinki Conservatory, Palmgren perfected his piano virtuosity in Berlin under Ferruccio Busoni, launching an international concert career.

Known as 'The Chopin of the North' for his delicate, shimmering keyboard textures, his Piano Concerto No. 2 The River (Virta, 1913) was performed across the globe. From 1921 to 1926, Palmgren served as Professor of Composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, later teaching at the Sibelius Academy.