The Choir - Rautavaara - 05/10/2008

Aled Jones talks to Kari Turunen, a Finnish choral conductor, writer and journalist about Einojuhani Rautavaara and the post-war choral scene in Finland. Celebrating his 80th birthday on 9th October, Rautavaara has been a consistent producer of choral music since he began composing half a century ago. The 1950s were a fascinating time in the choral history of Finland when there was a deliberate effort to increase and develop chamber choirs. These new ensembles needed very different voices, ones without vibrato, and lighter in texture than was previously required and composers like Rautavaara were quick to respond to the demands for new repertoire. The rise of children’s and youth choirs in the 1960s and the technical advancement of amateur choirs in general has resulted in a unique and thriving marketplace for new choral repertoire in Finland Playlist: Rautavaara: Credo BBC Singers conducted by Paul Brough BBC recording Rautavaara: Sommarnatten (Summer Night) Finnish Radio Chamber Choir conducted by Erik-Olof Söderström ODE 851-2, track 8 Anna-Mari Kähärä: A song while the potatoes boil Philomela conducted by Marjukka Riihimäki Alba NCD 22, track 9 Rautavaara: Lorca Suite Finnish Radio Chamber Choir conducted by Erik-Olof Söderström ODE 851-2, tracks 10 to 13 Elämän kirja: A Book of Life 5. Hope Is The Thing With Feathers (Toivo on höyhenpukuinen) 6. Are You Ready? (Tahdotko?) BBC Singers conducted by Paul Brough BBC recording Rautavaara: Ave Maria Finnish Radio Chamber Choir conducted by Timo Nuoranne ODE 935-2, track 15 Eric Bergman: Three Gallows Songs, op.51a YL conducted by Matti Hyökki Finlandia FACD 368, tracks 15 to 17 Rautavaara: The Carpenter’s Son Soprano solo Olivia Robinson, with BBC Singers conducted by Paul Brough BBC recording Rautavaara: Magnificat Finnish Radio Chamber Choir, Timo Nuoranne ODE 935-2, track 6 Jukka Linkola: Ilo (Joy) Emo Ensemble conducted by Pasi Hyökki Alba NCD 26, track 14 Esa-Pekka Salonen: Kyss Min Mun from 2 Songs to Poems of Ann Jäderlund Emo Ensemble conductd by Pasi Hyökki Alba NCD 26, track 11 Rautavaara: Die erste Elegie (The first Elegy) Johanna Almark (soprano) with Finnish Radio Chamber Choir conducted by Erik-Olof Söderström ODE 851-2, track 19