Composer of the Week - Einojuhani Rautavaara (b.1928) - Childhood

To coincide with the eightieth birthday of Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara, Donald Macleod presents a survey of his life and music, with excerpts specially recorded for the programme by Rautavaara himself. He begins with a look at the formative experiences of Rautavaara's childhood. Independence Fanfare Aki Valimaki, Jouko Harjanne and Jorma Rautakoski (trumpets) Valtteri Malmivirta (trombone) Ondine, ODE 957-2, track 7 Shall I compare thee (3 Sonnets of Shakespeare) Gabriel Suovanan (baritone) Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Leif Segerstam (conductor) Ondine, ODE 1085-2, track 3 Cantus Arcticus - Concerto for Birds and Orchestra Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra Max Pommer (conductor) Ondine, ODE 747-2, tracks 1-3 Prelude and Fugue (first of a set of two) David Pereira (cello) Ian Munro (piano) Tall Poppies, TP156, track 1 A Requiem in Our Time Brass Partout Hermann Baumer (director) BIS, BIS-CD-1054, tracks 1-4.