Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Einojuhani Rautavaara

Meeting Rautavaara A Musical Memory

I had the rare opportunity to actually meet Einojuhani Rautavaara once, back in the year 2000. He was in Philadelphia for the first performance of his Symphony No. 8, “The Journey.” By purest chance, I had struck up a friendship with Anssi Blomstedt, a documentary filmmaker then living in Philadelphia, who is the youngest grandchild of Jean Sibelius. He had simply wandered into my bookstore one day, as I was playing a CD of Robert Kajanus conducting his grandfather’s Symphony No. 3. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world…

Anyway, I got Anssi into a rehearsal of Simon Rattle conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra in Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5. The ebullient Rattle was overjoyed to meet him. The encounter happened to coincide with an interview Rattle was doing backstage with somebody from Vanity Fair, I think, and somewhere there is a photograph of the future Sir Simon planting a kiss on Anssi’s forehead.

One good turn deserves another, and when Rautavaara came to town, Anssi took me backstage at the Academy of Music to introduce me to him. The venerable composer was friendly and obviously amenable to a photograph. He also was kind enough to sign my Naxos CD of his Symphony No. 3, Piano Concerto No. 1, and Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, “Cantus Arcticus.” I wonder what he thought of this peculiar, 33 year-old “fan.”

Rautavaara died on July 27 at the age of 87. Join me this morning as we celebrate the late Finnish master with FIVE HOURS of his music, from 6 to 11 EDT, on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com. One needs plenty of time in order even to say “Einojuhani Rautavaara.” Mostly we’ll let the music do the talking, on Classic Ross Amico.

August 11, 2016
Remembering Rautavaara’s Symphony No. 8 on WPRB

Right now on WPRB, we’re listening to the final symphony of the great Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara – the Symphony No. 8, subtitled “The Journey” – commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra. It was given its first performance at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, under the direction of Wolfgang Sawallisch, in the year 2000.

Though Rautavaara would live another 16 years, he would compose no more symphonies. He suffered an aortic dissection in 2004, which put him in intensive care for half a year. He spent most of his final decade in frail health, though he continued to compose prolifically.

We are honoring Rautavaara, who died on July 27 at the age of 87, with FIVE HOURS of his music. Coming up in the 9:00 hour, we’ll hear his large-scale liturgical work, “Vigilia,” a mystical creation that grew out of childhood memories of a visit to an island monastery. Tune in if only to catch that basso-profondo!

It’s all Rautavaara until 11:00 EDT on WPRB 103.3 FM and at wprb.com.

August 11, 2016
Einojuhani Rautavaara Obituary A Loss for Music

Okay, this one hurts.

I learn with dismay of the passing of the great Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, who died last night at the age of 87. Rautavaara, widely regarded as one of the world’s great composers, the grand old man of Finnish music, and the spiritual heir of Jean Sibelius, wrote eight symphonies, nine operas, 14 concertos, and dozens of other orchestral and vocal compositions.

By coincidence, I just played his Symphony No. 7, “Angel of Light,” on WWFM – The Classical Network on Tuesday. (Well, perhaps it’s not so much of a coincidence, since I played his “Cantus Arcticus” last week.)

I met Rautavaara once, backstage at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia in 2000, after the premiere of his Symphony No. 8. Somewhere, I’ve got a pre-digital photo of the two of us, me smiling like a Tyrannosaurus Rex. If I can find it, I will post it soon.

R.I.P. Einojuhani Rautavaara. You were one of the best we had.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jul/28/einojuhani-rautavaara-obituary

The final movement of “Angel of Light”:

July 28, 2016
Finland’s Music Takes Wing

After a week of bitter temperatures and more falling snow, it’s hardly surprising that my thoughts turn to the north (and I don’t mean Boston).

This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll have a couple of pieces from Finland, both of them inspired by the region’s avian life.

Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his “Cantus Arcticus” in 1972. He described it as a “concerto for birdsong and orchestra.” The work incorporates tape recordings made on the bogs of Liminka, near the Arctic Circle. More than just a gimmick, the piece is an inspiring triptych that manages to transcend its potentially new age conceit. The final movement takes the form of a long crescendo for orchestra, which incorporates the song of whooper swans.

Swans, of course, also played a crucial role in the creation of Jean Sibelius’ uplifting Symphony No. 5. The composer was moved to write the grand theme of the symphony’s finale after observing a flock of swans in flight over his home on the shores of Lake Tuusula in Järvenpää. The tolling French horns unfailingly generate a glow of hope and optimism. Such noble music! I don’t mind sharing that this is probably my favorite symphony.

Wait a minute – the Symphony No. 5 is standard repertoire. What’s this doing on “The Lost Chord?”

In 1995, conductor Osmo Vänskä recorded Sibelius’ first thoughts on the symphony, as it was heard at its 1915 premiere. Though the work was extremely well-received, Sibelius became increasingly dissatisfied with it, as he prepared the manuscript for publication.

In what must be one of the most amazing feats of revision ever, he crafted from the comparatively rough material the masterwork we know today. When you hear this original version, you will marvel at the composer’s clarity of purpose, his remarkable objectivity, and just how hard he worked. It’s almost like a completely different piece, one that uses the same recognizable themes, but completely rethinks the structure and, at times, the orchestration. Listening to certain passages is like strolling across familiar terrain. Then the ground shifts, and you find yourself walking down a strange path. If you haven’t heard it, definitely make a point to check it out.

If, like me, you find yourself watching the Academy Awards at 10:00 tomorrow night even as you wonder why, “The Lost Chord” will be rebroadcast Wednesday evening at 6; or you can listen to it later as a webcast at http://www.wwfm.org.

PHOTO: Finnish music takes wing, on “Snow Birds”

February 21, 2015
Sibelius’ Christmas Carol Day 9 Advent

ADVENT CAROL – DAY 9

Sibelius wrote five Christmas songs between 1897 and 1913. These were published as his Opus 1. This is the best known of the bunch, “En Etsi Valtaa Loistoa” (“I seek not power, glory or gold”), which he composed in 1909, on a text of Zacharias Topelius.

I seek not power, glory or gold,
I wish for the light of Heaven and peace on Earth.
Let Christmas bring happiness and put us in mind of heavenly things.
Neither power nor gold but peace on Earth.

May the wonder of Christmas come to both poor and rich;
Into Earth’s darkness bring the light of Heaven.
For you I yearn, you I await, Lord of Earth and Heaven,
Now bring sweet Christmas to poor and rich.

Since today is Sibelius’ birthday, I’m including it in my Advent calendar.

Also, one by contemporary Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara:

December 9, 2014

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