Cookie Settings
Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Other cookies are those that are being identified and have not been classified into any category as yet.

No cookies to display.

Touko’s letter to Hely, 22 May 1943

22 May ‘43

Dear Heikkä,

I’m writing another letter to you already. We now have a piano and oh, what a piano! It’s made of walnut and it’s quite low, and makes the greatest sound imaginable. A first-class piece of furniture, all in all. If I were rich I’d buy it right away. It costs 35,150 marks, which means I’ll have to be very careful not to destroy it. That would be costly. But it is heavenly. I’ve been at it all day, like a child with a new toy. And the men have been almost as enthusiastic, each in their own way. Moonlight Sonata (the last movement: Presto agitato) went wonderfully, and I was thrilled to bits (by my own playing, huh), and one man was so excited he sang at the top of his voice: “Two grenadiers were returning to France…”

Usually they listen in reverent silence. In a Persian Market and The Blue Danube are the most popular pieces. You should have heard the boys sing as we rehearsed. The canteen walls almost came down. It’s quite different singing with a piano accompaniment than without it.

I have too many piano pupils until Hymander comes. He could hurry up. He’ll bring music for Songs for Finnish Youth, Lütsch’s études and my grey-striped, glossy-covered, easy sheet music (I don’t remember its title).

I think our battery is turning into a music school. It feels like it. I teach the boys to play the piano and the mandolin as well as group, solo and choral singing, and I think I’ll also put together an orchestra, because we have the instruments: the piano, seven mandolins, two violins and a radio. Oh, and Lieutenant von Wright’s willow whistle!

Oh my goodness, you should see how excited the men are. They won’t let me write in peace but keep asking when we can start playing, and will the second lieutenant have everyone at the lesson at the same time or each person individually, and how much is it, anyway. I think I’ll charge just enough to get the rent paid. Though it would be a nice source of funding for my future studies. If only I could keep the piano here all winter (if we’re here all winter), then I could almost think about starting next autumn.

I received an amazing parcel from Hilja yesterday. Lovely buns, pastries and biscuits, and even some butter. So I’m fine at the moment. I eat sweets, play the piano and am enjoying the first really hot summer Sunday. If only I didn’t have my official duties to bother me. But I’d better get some things done now, then I’ll take the rest of the day off. So this is all for now. Please write to me with the latest news when you get a chance. I’m sending you lilac, bird cherry, apple and rowan flowers.

Your brother, Touko