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

Donald Macleod charts Rautavaara's progress as he heads off to broaden his musical horizons in America and Europe, and winning first prize at the Cincinnati Composers Competition in 1954 opened up several opportunities for the young composer. String Quartet No 1 (Presto) Jean Sibelius Quartet Ondine, ODE 909-2, track 5 Raise No Memorial (Five Sonnets to Orpheus, 1954-5) Jyrki Korhonen (basso profundo) Iikka Paananen (piano) BIS, BIS-CD-1141, track 22 Symphony No 1 National Orchestra of Belgium Mikko Franck (conductor) Ondine, ODE 1064-5, tracks 1-3 The Baptism of Christ; The Holy Woman at the Sepulchre; Archangel Michael defeats the Antichrist (Icons) Laura Mikkola (piano) Naxos 8.554292, tracks 10-12 Ludus Verbalis Lulea Chamber Choir Einar Isacson (conductor) BIS, BIS-CD-66, track 9 Love Song (The Lovers) Gabriel Suovanen (baritone) Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Leif Segerstam (conductor) Ondine, ODE 1085-2, track 9.