The First Symphony was originally conceived as a string quartet, but Kalevi Aho's teacher, Einojuhani Rautavaara, suggested its first movement was orchestral in nature.
Compositional Technique
In Kalevi Aho's Violin Concerto, the soloist and orchestra strive for equality and mutual support, rather than the confrontational dynamic found in his Third Symphony.
Composition History
The orchestral work Hiljaisuus (Silence) was commissioned by the Finnish Broadcasting Association with a condition that its total duration be about five minutes.
Performer Biography
Manfred Gräsbeck, the violinist on this recording, is not only a performer but also a composer, with seven symphonies and three violin concertos to his name.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Kalevi Aho conceived Hiljaisuus (Silence) as an introduction to his Violin Concerto, allowing the concerto to follow without a pause in concert.
Compositional Technique
The first and fourth movements of Kalevi Aho's First Symphony are fugues, with the theme of the fourth movement being the reverse of the first movement's theme.
Composition History
Kalevi Aho's First Symphony began as an unfinished fantasy for violin and piano, inspired by Uuno Kaila's poem "Viulu" (The Violin).
