Rautavaara: Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light"
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CD Details
Edition: Music CDCD Release Date: 2003-02-18
Music Label: Naxos
Soundtracks:
- Tranquillo
- Molto Allegro
- Come Un Sogno
- Pesante
- Angels And Visitations
Music reviews of Rautavaara: Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light"
Music Review: More convincing than the average Rautavaara
Rating: 4 Stars
Music by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara tends to be entertaining the first time one hears it, and rather empty afterward. I first discovered his work through various other discs, and ultimately I was disappointed by the fluffy feel of writing and lack of rigour or any fresh perspective. These two orchestral works, performed here by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Hannu Koivula, are more successful.
Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light" (1994) is one of Rautavaara's most acclaimed works, giving the composer a sudden popularity in much the same fashion as Gorecki's Third Symphony gave to that Polish composer. As it is a purely instrumental work, any clear programmatic basis is sure to depend on the subjective interpretation of the listener, but Rautavaara has made it plain that he didn't intend the work to evoke New Age pictorial images. Cast in four movements but not with the classical form, it is a boldly Romantic work that subjugates overt melody below an ambience created by tonal chords over a pedal point. What's striking about the work is that the effect is so strong from the very beginning, even when the composer is writing only for selected portions of the ensemble, and when orchestral tuttis come, they sound grand indeed. The scherzo comes in the second movement here, the only lively portion of the work, and has some very charming writing for percussion.
The 20-minute "Angels and Vistations" (1978) is a very different work. Based on childhood dreams which apparently were quite frightening, its soundworld is filled with conflict. It opens with images of doom in the bass kept in balance by tinkling percussion, but ultimately these bright tones fade out and grimness sets in. It's an engaging piece, just as successful a depiction of nightmare as, say, the second movement of Carter's "Symphonia".
Sure, none of the material here shows symphonic writing of the strength of Per Norgard, Alfred Schnittke, Kaija Saariaho, Magnus Lindberg, or even Sofia Gubaidulina. But it's a lot better than the average Rautavaara. If you must get something by the eclectic Finn, this is one disc that won't seem tired after the first few listens. Indeed, it even draws the listener back rather often.
Description of Rautavaara: Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light"
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.To get to the second piece on this CD first, "Angels and Visitations" is Rautavaara at his darkest and most mysterious (the work was inspired by the composer's childhood dreams). It isn't exactly tonal--melodies and motifs pile up on one another disturbingly--but it's not rehashed Romanticism, either. It's a unique blend, and the menacing lower strings are offset by the calming upper ones; insane brass interruptions are as interesting as the occasional background bells. The Seventh Symphony is an altogether different matter. It floats along, sometimes evoking nature at its most benign (a flute and harp interlude in the first movement, horns and woodwinds in the third), sometimes at its most unpredictable (in the brass throughout). The playing of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is excellent, and Hannu Koivula clearly understands Rautavaara. If Leif Segerstam's performances of these works (on Ondine) are a bit more potent, well, Naxos's price--less than half--makes up for that potency. Rautavaara is a great composer, easy to get to know and fascinating. Recommended. --Robert Levine
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