Rautavaara: Angel of Dusk / Symphony No. 2 / Suomalainen Myytti / Pelimannit

Featuring

Esko Laine
Jean-Jacques Kantorow
Tapiola Sinfonietta
Einojuhani Rautavaara

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Although Einojuhani Rautavaara considered himself primarily European, an undercurrent of Finnishness, folk music, and Finno-Ugrianism runs through all his music.

Compositional Technique

In 'Angel of Dusk', Rautavaara developed new playing techniques for the double bass, an unusual solo instrument, with the indispensable help of virtuoso Olli Kosonen.

Composer Biography

Einojuhani Rautavaara, born in Finland in 1928, received a grant from Jean Sibelius to study at the Juilliard School in New York.

Composition History

Rautavaara's 'Angel of Dusk' concerto was initially requested by Olga Koussevitzky, his patron, and the title came to him while reflecting on the challenge during a flight.

Performer Biography

Esko Laine, the double bass soloist on this album, was the first foreign double bass player to join the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 1986.

Composer Biography

Einojuhani Rautavaara has a prolific output, including seven operas, seven symphonies, seven solo concertos, chamber music, and choral works.

Performer Biography

Jean-Jacques Kantorow, the conductor of the Tapiola Sinfonietta, is a French violinist of Russian extraction who won numerous international prizes, including the Carl Flesch and Paganini competitions.