These world première recordings combine Einojuhani Rautavaara's latest
two concertos with an orchestral piece from his early Modernist period (Modificata; 1957/2003).
The virtuoso Percussion Concerto Incantations
(2008) features percussion soloist Colin Currie, who is the dedicatee
and première performer of this work. Currie wrote himself the virtuoso
cadenza to the final movement. Rautavaara's Second Cello Concerto Towards the Horizon (2009)
was written for cellist Truls Mørk and plays continuously in one
20-minute movement. Reviewing the première performance the Star Tribune
noted that the composer "acknowledges a ‘taste for eternity' and a vain of mysticsm runs through his work."
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 recent GRAMMY nomination for his
opera Kaivos).
Under their chief conductor John
Storgårds, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra builds on long-time
pedigrees of performing their compatriot's music.
Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-)
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra No. 2 "Towards the Horizon" (2008-09) - 21:16
1 Theme - 4:06
2 Variations of the theme - 8:38
3 Finale - 8:32
Modificata (1957/2003) - 17:15
4 I. Praevariata - 9:00
5 II. Meditatio - 4:52
6 III. Affectio - 3:24
Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra "Incantations" (2008) - 23:44