Rautavaara: Cello & Percussion Concerto

 

Dated after Ondine's 4CD Rautavaara Twelve Concertos set in 2009 (BLOG), the Finnish composer had yet more to say in the genre. The liner notes explain, almost in hushed tones, that his Second Cello Concerto could be the composer's last, bringing his compositional oeuvre full circle from his First Cello Concerto of 1968, the first work he composed in the genre. Yet, he lived four years past this recording from 2012, and another 8 years after writing the Cello Concerto of 2008 heard on this recording.

Let me begin, however, with the non-concerto in the program, Modificata. Hailing from the 1950s, Rautavaara reworked a different 50's composition into the first movement, modifying what was there in the 2000s. The music lies in the world of his Symphony nos. 2 & 4, works I have all but written off for their uncompromising modernist attributes.

Indeed, the composer is working with 12-tone rows in Modificata, and there are a fair number of 'bleep-bloop' sounds across the runtime. However, Rautavaara still manages to be true to his lyrical self, offering what is probably the most appealing use of serialism. I wonder what magic Finnish conductor John Storgårds could weave over those previously mentioned symphonies I have since cast off?

Both of the concertos on this recorded program are from Rautavaara's later musical style, and should be familiar and amenable to those who enjoy the composer's more familiar and recent orchestral works. I marvel at Towards the Horizon, a Cello Concerto which begins with an energy and emotive quality not often seen in Rautavaara, especially in an opening movement.

The harmonies are lush and cinematic, yet the composer adds the interval of a minor 2nd to each epic chord area, whether in the strings or in the winds and brass. This intervallic addition is a curious sound, taking what would be satisfying harmonies for one and all, but making the music sound just slightly off in the scheme of things. Not unappealing, just a sound to make one want to cock their head to the side.

I really enjoy the fervent emotionalism Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk injects into this work, an approach not taken by many soloists in Rautavaara's music, usually in lieu of icy coldness flying o'er top of the composer's lush raft of string chords. The composer sets the cello in the instrument's very highest range in the concluding movement, bandying between an energetic finale and a poetic one. In the end, I think many will enjoy Cello Concerto no. 2, mainly for its affable music and fine performance qualities here.

Many of my musical descriptions accompanying Towards the Horizon could be equally applied to Incantations, Rautavaara's Percussion Concerto. The same harmonic calling card from above exists here as well, and indeed I find the composer in a rather upbeat mood rhythmically compared to the mystical calm normally found across his works. Of course, there is plenty of patient music making across these works too, just more of a contrasted variety across the concertos. In comparison to the Second Cello Concerto, melody is not as much of a main concern from the composer, instead relying on an ever-changing rhythmic profile.

Colin Currie is the percussion soloist on hand, mainly tackling the marimba and vibraphone in the concerto. I do wish the motor of the vibraphone was more apparent to the listener, for I could barely detect the instrument's titular vibrato. There are moments of unpitched percussion Currie has to contend with on occasion as well, and the sizeable cadenza is an interesting portion towards the end of the work to show off the percussionist's skill.

John Storgårds has done much to promote Nordic composers, so it is nice to hear him traverse the music of Einojuhani Rautavaara with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, a Rautavaara ensemble regular. Ondine's sonics are masterful, catching soloists and ensemble in a ideal, clear soundworld.

 

 

 

Works
Fantasia (12.34)
In the Beginning (5.01)
Deux Sérénades (14.58)
Lost Landscapes (24.03)

Ensembles
Malmö Symphony Orchestra

Robert Treviño, conductor 

Label: Ondine
Year: 2022
Total Timing: 57.32

If you are on board with Rautavaara's musical sound, these concertos are must-have acquisitions. These might even be fine starting points for new listeners as well.

I will never be as taken with Modificata, however John Storgårds with Helsinki make Rautavaara's brand of early serialism sound nearly lyrical and affable.

Find more Rautavaara recordings HERE!