Kaj Chydenius

Kaj Oskar Chydenius (16 October 1939 – 20 April 2024) was a Finnish musician and composer, probably best known for his left-wing political songs interpreted by various artists.

Chydenius in 2009

Biography

Chydenius studied at the Sibelius Academy,^[1] the University of Helsinki and the Helsinki School of Economics, starting his career with avant-garde music, happening, instrumental theatre, and the aesthetics of John Cage. Some of the best-known works by Chydenius are Lapualaisooppera (1966)^[2] and such songs as 'Sinua, sinua rakastan', 'Nuoruustango' and the children's song 'Magdaleena', which are all evergreens in Finland. Chydenius was one of the founding members of KOM-teatteri in 1971, together with Kaisa Korhonen who was his wife then. The younger son of Kaj Chydenius, Jussi Chydenius is a member of the vocal ensemble Rajaton. Many works by Chydenius are released on Love Records.

Kaj Chydenius was related to Anders Chydenius (1729–1803), a Finnish Lutheran priest and a member of the Swedish Riksdag; this was his great-great-uncle in the fifth generation.^[3]

Chydenius died in Helsinki on 20 April 2024, at the age of 84.^[4] His former wife Kaisa Korhonen died only five days later.^[5]

Selected discography

• Lauluja (1966)
• Kauneimmat rakkauslaulut (1977)
• Unet palaavat Helsinkiin (1996)