Einojuhani Rautavaara
Book of Visions · Adagio Celeste · Symphony No. 1
National Orchestra of Belgium · Mikko Franck, conductor
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Einojuhani Rautavaara
Before the Icons
A Tapestry of Life
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Leif Segerstam, conductor
"Here we have one of the greatest living composers working in the full inspiration of his mature style, performed and recorded with world-class passion and intensity." (ClassicsToday.com)
Track listing
14 tracks · 49:18Listen to samples on selected tracks.
Einojuhani Rautavaara
- Before the Icons (1955/2005) 25:15
- 1 I. The Death of the Mother of God 3:29
- 2 II. Prayer 3:05
- 3 III. Two Village Saints 1:19
- 4 IV. Black Madonna of Blakernaya 2:34
- 5 V. Prayer 2:58
- 6 VI. The Baptism of Christ 3:42
- 7 VII. The Holy Women at the Sepulchre 1:31
- 8 VIII. Prayer 2:45
- 9 IX. Archangel Michael Fighting the Antichrist 1:35
- 10 X. Amen 2:12
- A Tapestry of Life (2007) 24:10
- 11 I. Stars Swarming 7:15
- 12 II. Halcyon Days 5:21
- 13 III. Sighs and Tears 7:50
- 14 IV. The Last Polonaise 3:42
About this recording
Download a free podcast on this release by Raymond Bisha (courtesy Naxos)
Einojuhani Rautavaara is recognized as one of the most notable Finnish composers after Jean Sibelius. His recordings on Ondine have been bestsellers and garnered numerous awards (including a 1997 Grammy nomination for Angel of Light).
This CD features the mystical composer's latest orchestral works, two poignant testimonies of a mature artistic, spiritual and human personality. The uplifting orchestral Before the Icons (2005) is based on the earlier piano cycle Icons (1955; ODE 710-2) and therefore spans over Rautavaara's entire career. The work drew its inspiration from a book of Orthodox icons. Rautavaara wrote A Tapestry of Life in 2007 after an almost miraculous recovery from an acute illness. "Few contemporary composers are as skilled (...) in using tonality without compromise," wrote the New Zealand Herald, upon its premiere performance.
Leif Segerstam and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra build on their long-time pedigrees of performing their compatriot's music.
Features
Booklet with liner notes in English and Finnish
Press
Ces pages aux orchestrations luxuriantes qui assument les héritages de Sibelius et de Ravel sont rendues ici avec une épaisseur absolument fastueuse, produisant de véritables nappes sonores de la part de cordes somptueuses. Une plénitude et une beauté de timbre véritablement envoûtantes se combinent avec une dynamique exceptionelle.
Philippe van den Bosch, Classica, septembre 2010
Segerstam and the excellent Helsinki players provide appropriately atmospheric support. (...) There's no doubt about the beauty of the soundworlds (Rautavaara) creates.
Michael Scott Rohan, BBC Music Magazine, September 2010, Performance / Recording
Ondine's sound is superb as usual.
Guy Rickards, Gramophone, August 2010
L'Orchestre d'Helsinki (...) réussit à nous transmettre un jaillissement sonore naturel et de générosité heureuse. Un très beau disque.
Stéphane Friédérich, Classica, juillet-août 2010
Mit großer Intensität lässt (Leif Segerstam) musizieren, arbeitet die Klangfarben suggestiv heraus und beweist einmal mehr, dass er ein kongenialer Interpret Rautavaaras ist.
Michael Bordt, Klassik.com, 7. Juli 2010
Wir bewundern (...) das grossartige Talent des Komponisten, Orchesterfarben zu mischen und so jene wunderbaren Texturen zu schaffen, die aus ihm einen der grössten Komponisten unserer Zeit gemacht haben. Leif Segerstam und das Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra interpretieren beide Werke mit hundertprozentigem Engagement, auf sehr hohem Niveau und werden so beiden Stücken vollauf gerecht. An dieser CD wird jeder Musikfreund seine wahre Freude haben!
Rémy Franck, Pizzicato, Juni 2010, Supersonic Award
Here we have one of the greatest living composers working in the full inspiration of his mature style, performed and recorded with world-class passion and intensity. It really doesn't get any better.
David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com, May 2010, Disc of the Month, Artistic Quality 10 / Sound Quality 10
The artists
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the first professional symphony orchestra to be founded in the Nordic countries (1882), has grown from a band of 36 players to an orchestra of 102 regular members.
Leif Segerstam
Leif Segerstam (1944-2024) received diplomas from the Sibelius Academy in violin and conducting. He won the Maj Lind Piano Competition in 1962 and gave his first violin recital in 1963. He rounded off his studies at the Juilliard School in New York, where he was awarded a conducting diploma in 1964.
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