Erkki-Sven Tüür

Peregrinus Ecstaticus, Clarinet Concerto

Le poids des vies non vécues · Noesis, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

Christoffer Sundqvist, clarinet
Pekka Kuusisto, violn
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu, conductor

ODE 1287-2 · CD · February 2017

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Track listing

7 tracks · 56:14

Listen to samples on selected tracks.

Erkki-Sven Tüür

Peregrinus Ecstaticus, Clarinet Concerto 25:03
1 I 10:04
2 II 7:39
3 III 6:13
4 Le poids des vies non vécues 11:41
Noesis, Concerto for Violin, Clarinet and Orchestra 20:37
5 I 10:04
6 II 6:58
7 III 3:35

Product details

Format: CD
Release date: February 2017
Catalogue no.: ODE 1287-2
EAN / UPC: 0761195128725
Total duration: 56:14

Performers

This new Ondine disc continues a series of recordings of the works of Erkki-Sven Tüür (b. 1959), a composer of several symphonies and one of the leading Baltic composers. Besides symphonies Tüür has also written concertos to commissions by various well-known orchestras. This disc includes two concertos featuring rising Finnish clarinetist Christoffer Sundqvist and star-violinist Pekka Kuusisto together with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hannu Lintu.

Clarinet Concerto Peregrinus Ecstaticus was written to a commission by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and premiered together with the soloist Christoffer Sundqvist and Hannu Lintu in 2013. The Latin title of this concerto suggest a pilgrimage. Tüür gives the following description of the work: “Imagine a pilgrim’s quest, full of obstacles and hazards, towards his desired goal; his perseverance and vigour alternating with exhaustion and fatigue; conquering actual physical obstacles combined with spiritual struggles... […] However, this composition is not an attempt to describe such a journey. On the most abstract level, this is the very journey. I came up with this story and the title of the piece after I had already finished the score. Thus, this is not programme music. [...] I would be delighted if this piece inspired listeners to create their own “stories”, in the hope that the music touches the creative core of the audience.”

Noēsis, a Double Concerto for Clarinet and Violin, was premiered in 2005 by Isabelle van Keulen, Michael Collins and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Neeme Järvi. The work follows a classical three-movement structure, all movements played attacca. As the music unfolds the two soloists beging to interact, moving closer to each other and ultimately finding unity and understanding (noēsis) in the finale.

Le poids des vies non vécues is an orchestral work, stylically different from the two concertos. It is a small requiem written in 2014 to a commission by Orchestre National de Belgique.

This recording continues the fruitful collaboration of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hannu Lintu on Ondine that has gathered excellent reviews in the international press.

Sleeve notes in English and Finnish

Christoffer Sundqvist

Christoffer Sundqvist began his clarinet studies with Bernhard Nylund at the Pietarsaari Conservatory. He completed his diploma examination with Anna-Maija Korsimaa at the Sibelius Academy in 2002 and went on to study with Professor François Benda at the Basel Music Academy. He has also attended masterclasses given by Hans Rudolf Stalder, Guy Deplus, Charles Neidich and Ronald van Spaendonck, and he has studied chamber music with a number of distinguished musicians. He won shared first prize at the Crusell Clarinet Competition in 2002. He has also received the Pro Musica medal.

Full biography

Pekka Kuusisto

Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto is one of the most versatile and distinctive musicians working today. Always demonstrating his extraordinary individuality and imagination, he is unusually free and fluid in his approach and has been acclaimed for the spontaneity and freshness in his playing. Setting Pekka Kuusisto apart from most other violinists of his generation is his desire and ability to improvise, and his love of playing many different styles of music, channeling the same intensity into each genre.

Full biography

Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (FRSO) is the orchestra of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle), and its mission is to produce and promote Finnish musical culture.

Full biography