Rautavaara and Aho — Joy & Asymmetry Indeed!

This release features the music of a teacher and his pupil. Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara was the teacher. Kalevi Aho was the student. And he learned well. Rautavaara's mature style featured clouds of sound that continually intersected in unusual ways. 

Aho's style has a similar underlying aesthetic but takes a different form. If Rautavaara's music is in soft focus, then Aho's is crystal clear. This contrast is clearest when listening to two works from 2010. 

Unsere Liebe by Rautavaara is primarily homophonic. Its shimmering harmonies obscure the tonal center. Yet they also effectively color the melody, providing emotional context to the work. 

Kolme laulua Mawlana Rumin runoihin was also composed in 2010. Like Rautavaara's work, the rhythmic pulse is weak. Here though, the single-line melody builds as it develops. A harmonic line splits off. A chorus intersperses answering motifs throughout the work. 

Different in style, but somehow similar in intent. These are choral works meant to evoke an atmosphere. Both composers have very subtle contrasts. Both demand the full attention of the listener. 

And I suspect both composers demand much from the singers. The Helsinki Chamber Choir does an outstanding job. Their intonation is precise, and their vocal blend is seamless.

This is an SACD release. If you purchase a digital download, make it the highest resolution available. On a good playback system, you will hear a difference. Aho and Rautavaar use silence as much as sound. And often very quiet sounds at that. The more details you hear, the more the artistry of these two composers comes through.  

Joy & Asymmetry
Einojuhani Rautavaara, Kalevi Aho
Choral music
Helsinki Chamber Choir; Nils Schweckendiek, conductor
BIS 2892 SACD