Light And Matter was jointly commissioned by the Library of Congress Britten Sinfonia Norrbotten NEO and the Aeolian Chamber Players in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Bowdoin International MusicFestival. Composed in 2014 by Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho the piece is for Violin Cello and Piano. Saariaho states that her inspiration for this work came from looking out of herwindow in New York at the changing lights and movements of Morningside Park. The piece manages to accurately represent the dynamism of movement and kinetic energy through the musical interplay of the threeinstruments. The piece saw its world premiere at Bowdoin International Festival on July 30th 2014 with Renee Jolles on Violin Nicholas Canellakis on Cello and Benjamin Hochman onPiano.
SKU: HL.14028557
ISBN 9788759854273. 9.5x14.25x0.187 inches. English.
Gates is the second section from the ballet MAA, scored for Chamber group, tape and live electronics. Written in 1991, commissioned by the Finnish National Opera, this work beautifully demonstrates the poeticism of Saariaho's music with a sensuous calm that permeates throughout. MAA translates from Finnish into world, earth or country. It is a complimentary title as the ballet does not have a plot as such, rather it is built around thematic archetypes such as doors, gates, stepping into new worlds, journeys and the crossing of waters. Gates can be played either as an acoustic or, often preferably, an amplified version. The acoustic version is suitable for small and resonant halls, or in a context of e.g. an early music program, in which case the piece can also be played on original instruments. This is the Full set of parts for one of Kaija Saariaho's most major works to date. Score is avilable: KP00326.
SKU: HL.14017469
UPC: 884088812041. 8.5x11.0x0.419 inches.
Composer's Note When I considered the ensemble of eight cellos, I first thought of matt and dark textures. I also wanted to go back to some ideas on symmetry. While I was pondering all that, I saw snow flakes falling from the dark sky of the Finnish autumn. Focusing on the snow, the idea of writing variations on it and its various forms became clearer in my mind.Nuages de neige is a uniform and linear texture in which I realise my first impressions of that ensemble. The two Etoiles de neige are based on the idea of symmetry and repetition: the first one develops up to a certain point where it doubles back as in a mirror image, the second one consists of eight sections in which the harmonic structure is repeated, as well as a linear gesture that becomes ever more present. Aguilles de glace focuses on different pizzicati and superimposed ostinati. With Fleurs de neige I sought to recall the texture of those harmonic trills at the end of the first section, although more airy and diversified here. Kaija Saariaho.
SKU: HL.14028564
ISBN 9781844493203. 8.25x11.75x0.051 inches.
Nocturne was written in early 1994 and dedicated to the memory of the Polish composer, Witold Lutoslawski. The piece is an exploration of early ideas for Kaija Saariaho's violin concerto, Graal Theatre, which was premiered in London at the 1995 BBC Promenade Concerts by Gidon Kremer. The first performance of Nocturne was by John Storgards on 16 February 1994 in Helsinki. Nocturne lasts around 6 minutes.
SKU: HL.14028538
ISBN 9788759852545. 9.5x14.25x0.164 inches. English.
Complete set of parts for Saariaho's Nymphea, arranged for String Quartet and Live Electronics. Composed 1987, duration 18 minutes.
SKU: HL.14028520
ISBN 9780711993488. 9.0x12.0x0.34 inches.
Five songs for solo soprano, eight female voices and orchestra. Study Score edition. First performed at the Salzburg Festival 1996. Duration 24 minutes. Conductor's Score, vocal part, and orchestral parts are available on hire only.
