Finnish Modern period composer Aulis Sallinen (1935-) was born in an area later claimed by the Soviet Union. Despite his more recent birth, his music, particularly his operas, carry the flavor of traditional works of earlier years. Still, there is always at least a hint of the Modern or Post-modern in his compositions. His first opera was Ratsumies (The Horseman) and his most noted may be King Lear. Other pieces include chamber music and a number of symphonies.