Einojuhani Rautavaara's opus 1 is his popular piano suite Pelimannit (Fiddlers; 1952), the parts of which are, in the composer's words, "free fantasies on the folk tunes in the 'Nuotti-Kiria' (Music Book) of the South Ostrobothnian country fiddler Samuel Rinda-Nickola, who lived at the end of the 18th century".

The work of a totally self-taught composer, the suite was an immediate hit in which Rautavaara, with an almost medium-like assurance, succeeded in capturing the spirit and essence of the original tunes in a fresh way that appealed to the imagination. The suite continues to be one of his most frequently-performed and best-loved compositions and has still lost none of its freshness.

Movements:
Närböläisten braa speli (The Närbö Villagers in Fine Fettle)
Kopsin Joonas (Joonas Kopsi)
Jacob Könni
Klockar Samuel Dikström (Bellringer Samuel Dikström)
Pirun polska (The Devil's Schottische)
Hypyt (Leaps)