Rautavaara: Book of Visions, Symphony No. 1 & Adagio celeste

Featuring

Mikko Franck
Orchestre National de Belgique
Einojuhani Rautavaara

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Critical Reception

Rautavaara's breakthrough work, 'Angel of Light' (Symphony No. 7), received the Cannes Classical Award in 1997 and a Grammy nomination for its recording on the Ondine label.

Performer Biography

Mikko Franck, the conductor, has led productions at the Finnish National Opera, including the world premiere of Einojuhani Rautavaara's opera 'Rasputin' in 2003.

Composition History

Rautavaara's First Symphony underwent two substantial changes after its initial composition in 1955, evolving from a four-movement to a two-movement, and finally a three-movement structure.

Performer Biography

Mikko Franck, the conductor, began playing the violin at age five and started conducting studies in 1995, quickly establishing himself as an exciting international conductor.

Composer Biography

Einojuhani Rautavaara, the composer, is Finland's most internationally known living composer, with over 100 orchestral concerts of his music worldwide in 2004.

Interpretation

The 'Book of Visions' would not exist without Mikko Franck, the conductor, not only because he commissioned it, but because the composer recognized his natural and understanding interpretation of his music.

Composer's Artistic Vision

For Rautavaara, the composer, the titles of the movements in his 'Book of Visions' emerged during the composition process, describing the effect of phenomena like 'Night' and 'Fire' on the music itself.