# Einojuhani Rautavaara: Symphony No. 8 "The Journey" · Harp Concerto

> Einojuhani Rautavaara: Symphony No. 8 "The Journey" · Harp Concerto – Marielle Nordmann, Helsinki…. Ondine ODE 978-2, CD, released September 2001.

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-978-2

- **Composer:** Einojuhani Rautavaara
- **Work(s):** Symphony No. 8 "The Journey" · Harp Concerto
- **Performers:** Marielle Nordmann, harp; Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra; Leif Segerstam, conductor
- **Label:** Ondine
- **Catalogue no.:** ODE 978-2
- **Format:** CD
- **Release date:** 1 September 2001
- **EAN / UPC:** 0761195097823
- **Tracks:** 7, total 52:19
- **Genres:** Orchestral, Finnish contemporary, Instrumental
- **Awards:** ClassicsToday.com '10/10', Classica-Répertoire 'R10 du mois'

## Track listing

**Einojuhani Rautavaara**

- *Concerto for Harp and Orchestra (2000)*
1. I. Pesante (9:59)
2. II. Adagietto (5:17)
3. III. Solenne (7:54)
- *Symphony No. 8 "The Journey" (1999)*
4. I. Adagio assai (11:30)
5. II. Feroce (3:04)
6. III. Tranquillo (6:00)
7. IV. Con grandezza (8:35)

## About this recording

This fifth release in a cycle of Einojuhani Rautavaara's complete symphonies couples the Finnish composer's latest symphonic work, The Journey, with the concerto for harp and orchestra, which features soloist Marielle Nordmann. Leif Segerstam conducts the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

The harp concerto was written for the Minnesota Orchestra in 2000, immediately after the eighth symphony. The Symphony No. 8 was commissioned by Wolfgang Sawallisch and The Philadelphia Orchestra and premiered during the orchestra's centenary celebrations. Its title, The Journey, refers to a borrowed motif in the slow movement, which in an earlier opera is sung to the words: "This journey goes on... whose is it? - Of one who wanders from the end of the journey? ... beyond time?..."

## Features

Booklet with liner notes written by the composer, in English, German, French and Finnish

## Press

Good music for the harp doesn't exactly grow on trees, and it would be small compliment to say that of all concertos for harp and orchestra, this one is the finest (...). The performance here makes the strongest possible case for this masterpiece, which deserves the widest possible circulation in concert. Ondine's Rautavaara series has revealed to music lovers one marvelous work after another, and with each new release Rautavaara's stature as one of the greatest composers working today only increases.

David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com, Artistic Quality 10 / Sound Quality 10

Une découverte majeure ; un grand disque de musique de notre temps.

Jean-Marie Brohm, Répertoire, Mars 2002, 10 de Répertoire

Both Concerto and Symphony are beautifully played by the Helsinki Philharmonic, which is surely one of the finest and most enterprising orchestras around, under Leif Segerstam's dynamic direction.

Ivan Moody, International Record Review, March 2002

Excellent playing from the Helsinki Philharmonic under Leif Segerstam and state-of-the-art recording.

Robert Layton, BBC Music Magazine, Performance *** / Sound ***

The dark, luminous beauty of this Finnish composer's music has won him a growing audience in the United States. These two recent works show him at his wrenching best.

Allan Kozinn, The New York Times, December 23, 2001, Top 10 Classical CDs of the Year

## Buy or stream

- [Buy](https://Ondine.lnk.to/ODE9782OW)

## Related pages

- [Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/rautavaara-einojuhani.md)
- [Marielle Nordmann, harp](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/nordmann-marielle.md)
- [Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/helsinki-philharmonic-orchestra.md)
- [Leif Segerstam, Conductor](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/segerstam-leif.md)

## Also recommended

- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: The 8 Symphonies](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1145-2q.md): Leif Segerstam (ODE 1145-2Q, 2009)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Complete Works for String Orchestra](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-983-2d.md): Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra · Juha Kangas, conductor (ODE 983-2D, 2001)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Angel of Light (Symphony No. 7) · Annunciations](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-869-2.md): Kari Jussila, organ · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 869-2, 1996)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Symphony No. 6 "Vincentiana" · Cello Concerto No. 1](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-819-2.md): Marko Ylönen, cello · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Max Pommer, conductor (ODE 819-2, 1994)