A scholarship granted by Jean Sibelius, a renowned Finnish composer, allowed Rautavaara to study in the United States, marking a turning point in his life.
Compositional Technique
Rautavaara's Harp Concerto includes two additional harps in the orchestra to create a full and lush sound, and uses unusual effects like 'gushing chords' and 'thunder effects'.
Composer Biography
Einojuhani Rautavaara, the composer, became orphaned at the age of 15, which led him to realize music could create a world governed by its own laws.
Composition History
The Philadelphia Orchestra commissioned Rautavaara's Eighth Symphony, 'The Journey', for their centenary, and it premiered in 2000 under Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Rautavaara experimented with various musical styles, from Serialism to Neo-Romanticism, and wrote masterpieces in many genres, including symphonies, concertos, and operas.
Critical Reception
Rautavaara's Seventh Symphony, 'Angel of Light', released in 1996, was a huge critical and commercial success, earning a Grammy nomination and winning at the Cannes Classical Awards.
Composer Biography
Rautavaara gained international recognition in 1954 by winning a composition competition with his work A Requiem in Our Time, while still a student.
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Edition Vol. 1
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Grainger Edition, Vol. 9: Works for Chorus and Orchestra
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Orchestral Music (Nordic): Rautavaara, E. / Pingoud, E. / Nordgren, P.H. / Sallinen, A. (Aurora Borealis - The Magic of Northern Lights)
