Einojuhani Rautavaara and Kalevi Aho, teacher and pupil, are both key figures in the Finnish music of their respective generations. Rautavaara's musical language evolved from neoclassicism through dodecaphony and the stylistic freedom of the 1960s before he eventually allowed himself to choose his expressive idiom according to the individual requirements of his works. Towards the end of his career, his works took on a very consistent, soft-toned character. For his part, Aho also began his career using a freely applied neoclassical style before gradually progressing to a more varied, at times modernist expressive and incisive approach.The works featured on this disc offer a glimpse into the choral output of these two composers who, in addition to demonstrating their stylistic versatility, also reveal their literary curiosity. While Aho draws on contemporary Finnish literature, Rautavaara has recourse to poets of various origins and periods. They are entrusted to the expert voices of the Helsinki Chamber Choir and it's conductor, Nils Schweckendiek, who recently won an American Grammy for their disc devoted to the choral works of the late Kaija Sariaaho.

Tracklist:

erste Elegie (The First Elegy)
Kolme laulua Mawlana Rumin runoihin (Three Songs to Poems by Mawlana Rumi)~I. Kotiin! (Homewards!)
Kolme laulua Mawlana Rumin runoihin (Three Songs to Poems by Mawlana Rumi)~II. Yksin sinÃ¤ (You alone)
Kolme laulua Mawlana Rumin runoihin (Three Songs to Poems by Mawlana Rumi)~III. Kuolkaa! (Die!)
Unsere Liebe (Our Love)~I. Meine Liebe (My Love)
Unsere Liebe (Our Love)~II. Dann, in jener Nacht (Then, that Night)
Unsere Liebe (Our Love)~III. Der Brief (The Letter)
Unsere Liebe (Our Love)~IV. FlÃ¼stern (Whispering)
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~I. Kuljin nuoralla (I walked a tightrope)
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~II. Aina olin (I was always)
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~III. SuupielessÃ¤ naurun hiljainen aihe (A hint of laughter in the corner of your mouth
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~IV. Sateen syksyt (Rainy autumns)
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~V. Tuoli seisoi (The chair stood)
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~VI. Kirkkaudessa (Out of the brightness)
Ilo ja epÃ¤symmetria (Joy and Asymmetry)~VII. Seison tuulessa (I stand in the wind)
Ave Maria, gratia plena
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~I. Kindheit (Childhood)
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~II. L'amoureuse (The Woman in Love)
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~II. Ma bohÃ¨me (My Bohemian Days)
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~IV. Hope is the thing with feathers
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~V. Are you ready?
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~VI. La mort des pauvres (Death of the Poor)
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~VII. Es lacht in dem steigendem Jahr (The Tides of the Year for you Breathe Still)
ElÃ¤mÃ¤n kirja (A Book of Life)~VIII. Song of Myself

UPC: 7318599926926
Label: Bis
Release Date: 8.30.24
Format: CD

Aho / Rautavaara / Helsinki Chamber Choir - Joy & Asymmetry (Hybr) (CD)