Aho, K.: Symphony No. 9 / Cello Concerto

Featuring

Osmo Vänskä
Christian Lindberg
Gary Hoffman
Lahti Symphony Orchestra
Kalevi Aho

Did you know?

1/7

Compositional Technique

Kalevi Aho's Symphony No. 9 explores different musical periods — the present, past, and future — with the soloist sometimes switching to a baroque alto trombone (sackbut) and the score including a harpsichord part.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded at the Ristinkirkko (Church of the Cross) in Lahti, Finland, which is also the venue for all recordings by the Sinfonia Lahti (Lahti Symphony Orchestra).

Composer Biography

Kalevi Aho, one of Finland's most eminent modern composers, became a freelance composer in 1993 after receiving a 15-year composition grant from the Finnish state.

Performer Biography

Gary Hoffman, the cello soloist, was the youngest faculty member in the history of Indiana University's School of Music at age 23 and was the first North American to win the Rostropovich International Cello Competition in 1986.

Composition History

Both Kalevi Aho's Cello Concerto and Symphony No. 9 were commissioned by the Helsinki Festival.

Performer Biography

Christian Lindberg, the trombone soloist on this album, is known for inspiring over forty composers, including Iannis Xenakis and Arvo Pärt, to write works specifically for him.

Compositional Technique

Kalevi Aho's Cello Concerto features an unusual structure with various instrumental layers, including a 'normal' orchestra, a solo cello, an organ, a harp/celesta/glockenspiel trio, and an 'anti-orchestra' of accordion, mandolin, saxophone, tuba, and side drum.