Truls Mørk, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Rautavaara: Modificata, Towards the Horizon & Incantations (2012) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Truls Mørk, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Rautavaara: Modificata, Towards the Horizon & Incantations (2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:02:17 minutes | 1,06 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Ondine

This new recording couples Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara’s latest concerto works with an orchestral piece from his early Modernist period (Modificata; 1957/2003). The virtuoso Percussion Concerto Incantations (2008) features the Scottish percussion soloist Colin Currie, who is the dedicatee and première performer of this work. Currie wrote himself the virtuoso cadenza to the final movement. Rautavaara’s Second Cello Concerto Towards the Horizon (2009) was written for cellist Truls Mørk and plays continuously in one 20-minute movement. Reviewing the premiere the Star Tribune noted that the composer “acknowledges a ‘taste for eternity’ and a vain of mysticsm runs through his work.” Einojuhani Rautavaara is recognized as one of the most notable Finnish composers after Jean Sibelius. His recordings on Ondine have been bestsellers and garnered numerous awards (including a recent GRAMMY nomination for his opera Kaivos). Under their chief conductor John Storgårds, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra builds on long-time pedigrees of performing their compatriot’s music.

Rautavaara’s late works continue to reveal the hand of a master with a completely assured technique and a serenely confident personal style. Towards the Horizon, his Cello Concerto No. 2, is an introspective, poetic work cast in large-scale variation form. Like so many modern concertos, its quiet ending may limit its chances of becoming popular in concert, but the quality of the music is never in doubt and the melodic material is truly memorable. To his credit, Rautavaara apportions the majority of the solo writing to vibraphone and marimba, with contrasting episodes given to untuned percussion. The result, effectively varied timbrally, works very well; even the concluding cadenza fits logically into its place in the finale, and does not outstay its welcome. Time will tell if “the percussion concerto problem,” if you accept that there is one, has been solved definitively. Either way, this is a very enjoyable listen.

Modificata belongs to Rautavaara’s early, twelve-tone period (the late 1950s)…they are as characterful or successful as his later works. …Rautavaara fashions distinctive melodic material for each of the piece’s three movements—the quick finale is particularly exciting and successful. …the performances are excellent…the Helsinki Philharmonic under John Storgards does its usual fine job. So, for that matter, do Ondine’s engineers. Very recommendable. –David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

Tracklist:
01. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Cello Concerto No. 2, “Towards the Horizon” – I. Theme – (04:06)
02. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Cello Concerto No. 2, “Towards the Horizon” – II. Variations of the theme – (08:38)
03. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Cello Concerto No. 2, “Towards the Horizon” – III. Finale (08:31)
04. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Modificata – I. Praevariata (09:00)
05. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Modificata – II. Meditatio (04:51)
06. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Modificata – III. Affectio (03:23)
07. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Percussion Concerto, “Incantations” – I. Pesante (08:09)
08. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Percussion Concerto, “Incantations” – II. Espressivo (08:51)
09. Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds – Percussion Concerto, “Incantations” – III. Animato (cadenza by C. Currie) (06:43)

Personnel:
Colin Currie, percussion**
Truls Mørk, cello*
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
John Storgårds, conductor

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