The Moonlight Concerto features unusual percussion instruments not typically heard in orchestral concerts, such as a moon gong, waterphone, and hang drum.
Album & Artwork
The subtitle 'Moonlight Concerto' for the Double Concerto for Viola, Percussion and Orchestra was added by Kalevi Aho and the dedicatees, Hiyoli Togawa and Alexej Gerassimez, at its premiere.
Performer Biography
Sharon Bezaly, the flautist on this album, has been described as 'God's gift to the flute' by The Times (UK) and named the best flautist in the world by BBC Music Magazine.
Composer Biography
Kalevi Aho, one of Finland's foremost contemporary composers, began violin studies and composing at age ten, later studying at the Sibelius Academy with Einojuhani Rautavaara.
Composer Biography
Kalevi Aho has been a prolific composer, with his output including five operas, eighteen symphonies, and 43 concertos to date (spring 2025).
Composer's Artistic Vision
For his Moonlight Concerto, Kalevi Aho was inspired by ancient Japanese gagaku music, a ritualistic tradition over 1,000 years old.
Composer Biography
Kalevi Aho has served as composer in residence and later composer laureate for the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, a Finnish orchestra based in Sibelius Hall.
