Kaija Saariaho - True Fire true masterwork

True Fire was composed for baritone Gerald Finley, who performs it here. The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra was one of the co-commissioning organizations. Consider this, then, an authoritative performance, and a thrilling one at that.

Ralph Graves 11/26/13 Ralph Graves 11/26/13

Saariaho Chamber Works for Strings

If you're already a fan of Saariaho's music, this disc is a must. If not, this can provide a good and somewhat intimate introduction to this visionary composer's style.

Ralph Graves 8/28/13 Ralph Graves 8/28/13

Rautavaara Choral Works — Beautiful, and Beautifully Recorded

The major work on the album, Missa a cappella, is a floating, ever-changing cloud of sound that benefits from the resonant echoes of the cathedral it was recorded in.

Ralph Graves 5/30/12 Ralph Graves 5/30/12

Joseph Martin Kraus Viola Concertos No Joke

Violist David Carpenter keeps things moving along, which is good. This is music that benefits for a lightness of touch, and the sprightly playing of the Tapiola Sinfonietta hits just the right emotional tone.

Ralph Graves 4/18/12 Ralph Graves 4/18/12

Ethereal Orchestral Works by Kaija Saariaho

As I listened to this compilation, the words I kept jotting down were "mysterious," "atmospheric," and "ethereal." Those terms, I think, apply to the entire collection.

Ralph Graves 3/21/12 Ralph Graves 3/21/12

Rautavaara Concertos from Ondine

This is a fine addition to Ondine's catalog of Rautavaara recordings.

Ralph Graves 11/2/11 Ralph Graves 11/2/11

Kaija Saariaho: D’Om le Vrai Sens

Saariaho doesn’t write pretty music – but she does write vital music.

WTJU Radio 7/7/11 WTJU Radio 7/7/11

Remembering JFK - 2 Views of History

The commissioned works are welcome additions to the repertoire, the 2011 concert is immensely enjoyable, and the 1961 concert recording is a wonderful historical document to a truly exciting musical event.

Ralph Graves 6/6/11 Ralph Graves 6/6/11

Glazunov Complete Concertos Completely Enjoyable

For those of us who are familiar with Glazunov, it's instructive to hear these works one right after the other. For not familiar with this Russian master, this disc is a great place to start.

We are grateful for the generosity of the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation and UVA Arts Council, supporting WTJU and CharlottesvilleClassical.org.