Rautavaara's Riverboat

[Benji]

Crikey... every time I see activity on this thread after a long while of none I am sure that someone is going to be reporting the composer's demise.

Phew...

[greg]

Crikey... every time I see activity on this thread after a long while of none I am sure that someone is going to be reporting the composer's demise.

Phew...

That's exactly what I think on the Penderecki thread, and every now and then on the Carter thread.

[Christo]

Come on. He's not going to leave us without a Ninth, probably even more.

After No. 1 (1956), 2 (1957), 3 (1961) and 4 (1962) he kept silent for a while on the symphonic front. Then came his second series, with No.  5 (1986), 6 (1992), 7 (1995) and 8 (1999).

If he continues that way, we can expect a third series of four symphonies somewhere around 2025.

(Or perhaps they were written already. Isn't Kalevi Aho a Rautavaara redivivus?)

[vandermolen]

Come on. He's not going to leave us without a Ninth, probably even more.

After No. 1 (1956), 2 (1957), 3 (1961) and 4 (1962) he kept silent for a while on the symphonic front. Then came his second series, with No.  5 (1986), 6 (1992), 7 (1995) and 8 (1999).

If he continues that way, we can expect a third series of four symphonies somewhere around 2025.

(Or perhaps they were written already. Isn't Kalevi Aho a Rautavaara redivivus?)

Let's hope so  Especially as I like No 8 so much.

[gomro]

I ordered a Magnus Lindberg disc from Arkivmusic.com; they rarely make errors, but I received a double set of Rautavaara's music for male choir.  Curiosity got the better of me and I went ahead and purchased the thing -- and for once, serendipity won out, because it is really unique and very fine.  Favorite piece is a setting of Whitman's Song of Myself, but there are gems throughout the collection.

[Scarpia]

What is the best place to start with the symphonies of this composer?

[snyprrr]

And I'd like to know about that 'Complete Music for Brass'/A Requiem for Our Time (Ondine) cd. Anyone have it? For some reason, this sounds like an interesting place to go.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

And I'd like to know about that 'Complete Music for Brass'/A Requiem for Our Time (Ondine) cd. Anyone have it? For some reason, this sounds like an interesting place to go.

I have (and praised it on p. 1 of this thread). As stated, I'm not a big Rautavaara fan, but this disc is highly recommendable.

Best things on it are the two "requiems" (the early Requiem for Our Time, and the later Soldier's Requiem), and the Wind Octet. The last-named is I believe a serial composition, but it is really quite fetching. It reminds me of Stravinsky's similar Octet in its overall mood.

If I had to keep only 1 Rautavaara CD, this would be it.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Edit: It's Soldier's Mass, not Requiem. Anyway, here's a review:

http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=2035

[Grazioso]

What is the best place to start with the symphonies of this composer?

The third, which sounds like updated Bruckner. I like the Naxos recording of it best, though there are a few others. You can get all his symphonies cheaply in an Ondine box set:

[Sergeant Rock]

What is the best place to start with the symphonies of this composer?

You like Bruckner. Start with the Third. The Naxos CD is cheap, and great. Here are a few comments from early in this thread:

I remember vividly the first time I heard the opening pages of Rautavaara's 3rd...I sat up in absolute amazement.....Anton Bruckner was alive and well and working in Helsinki!! I still find it a very fine symphony indeed.

I am listening to the Third Symphony (Pommer/ Leipzig Symphony Orchestra), and the opening made me smile - Bruckner 4 all over again, and no mistake.  I am listening for the first time, and I must say - this is very atmospheric and beautiful music!

I tremendously enjoyed the very Brucknerian Third, but I'm still not completely convinced by the others.

Sarge

[Scarpia]

The third, which sounds like updated Bruckner. I like the Naxos recording of it best, though there are a few others. You can get all his symphonies cheaply in an Ondine box set:

You like Bruckner. Start with the Third. The Naxos CD is cheap, and great.

Ok, 3rd sounds interesting, but I'm leaning towards the Ondine disc because SACD sounds attractive.

What about the music for brass, "Requiem for our time" and all that?

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

What about the music for brass, "Requiem for our time" and all that?

Jeez, doesn't anyone read my posts? 

I have (and praised it on p. 1 of this thread). As stated, I'm not a big Rautavaara fan, but this disc is highly recommendable.

Best things on it are the two "requiems" (the early Requiem for Our Time, and the later Soldier's Requiem), and the Wind Octet. The last-named is I believe a serial composition, but it is really quite fetching. It reminds me of Stravinsky's similar Octet in its overall mood.

If I had to keep only 1 Rautavaara CD, this would be it.

[snyprrr]

Has anyone heard R's brass music?

[Mirror Image]

I already owned all the Ondine recordings, so I bought the BIS recordings with Vanska and I can't wait to hear them! Symphonies Nos. 7 & 8 have been favorites of mine since I heard all of his symphonies. I also just bought this one:

[Mirror Image]

What is the best place to start with the symphonies of this composer?

Go with Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light" first. This is the composer in his mature style. I'm not one of these people who think a person should explore the early works first. If a composer is consistent, which Rautavaara has proven to be, then it doesn't matter where you jump in. I just happen to think the 7th is his masterpiece.

[Benji]

Go with Symphony No. 7 "Angel of Light" first. This is the composer in his mature style. I'm not one of these people who think a person should explore the early works first. If a composer is consistent, which Rautavaara has proven to be, then it doesn't matter where you jump in. I just happen to think the 7th is his masterpiece.

It doesn't get better than the Come un sogno. That said, I dislike the finale of the 7th. I return more often to the 8th and 3rd (especially the 3rd, I never tire of it). 

[karlhenning]

Hi, Ben!

[Benji]

Hi, Ben!

Greetings Dr Karl. I'm still alive. Yay. How are you?

No sign of Rautavaara's 9th then. At least he's no longer very ill so there is hope he may get around to it. Does anyone have a spare few thousands pounds/dollars/euros for a commission?

[Mirror Image]

It doesn't get better than the Come un sogno. That said, I dislike the finale of the 7th. I return more often to the 8th and 3rd (especially the 3rd, I never tire of it). 

Symphony No. 8 "The Journey" is very good too. I've heard it several times now.