Joy & Asymmetry

Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016) and Kalevi Aho (*1949), teacher and pupil, are both key figures in Finnish music of their respective generations. Rautavaara's musical language developed from neoclassicism to dodecaphony and the stylistic freedom of the 1960s, before he eventually allowed himself to choose his means of expression according to the individual demands of his works. Towards the end of his career, his works acquired a very consistent, gentle character. Aho also began his career with a freely applied neoclassical style before gradually moving towards a more varied, sometimes modernistic, expressive and concise approach. The works on this SACD provide insight into the choral work of these two composers and reveal not only their stylistic versatility, but also their literary curiosity. While Aho focuses on contemporary Finnish literature, Rautavaara draws from poets of different origins and periods. They are entrusted to the experienced voices of the Helsinki Kamerkoor and its conductor Nils Schweckendiek, who recently won an American Grammy for his SACD (BISSACD-2662) devoted to the choral works of the late Kaija Sariaaho.