Background
He was the son of Frans Ferdinand Kanto from Jalasjärvi, who got a Swedish surname, Mattsson, when he joined the Finnish army.
composer conductor organist pianist
He was the son of Frans Ferdinand Kanto from Jalasjärvi, who got a Swedish surname, Mattsson, when he joined the Finnish army.
He studied for some time at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany, where his teachers were Carl Reinecke, Theodor Coccius, Robert Papperitz, Willy Rechenberg and Gustav Schreck.
He changed the name in 1882. Meri means "sea" and refers to his voyage from Vaasa to Helsinki. Kanto refers to his origins from the estate Kanto in the Finnish-speaking area of Ostrobothnia.
He was notable for his variety of talents – he gave concerts all around Finland, performing on the piano and organ, conducting orchestras, and composing original music
Some of his most beloved compositions are Där björkarna susa, and the waltz Kesäillan valssi (Summernight"s Waltz). He died in Hausjärvi-Oitti.
Piano Pieces 1: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja 1. Vihko
Piano Pieces 4: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja 4.
Vihko
Piano Pieces 5: Suomalaisia Kansanlauluja 5.
