Firm conviction
BASIL RAMSEY listens to
the music of Einojuhani Rautavaara
Naxos 8.557009
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It is likely that today's Finnish composers are still partially hidden by the
dense shadow of Sibelius' influence -- not so much the man but the world's
admiration for his music. Einojuhani Rautavaara
[listen -- track 2, 6:00-7:10] was born in 1928. He
studied composition in the USA and in Germany, and respect for his music
has grown over the years.
He has dallied with various compositional techniques and style, which will be
found currently based on tonality strongly suffused with personality. There's
no hidden complexity to confound the listener, yet an intensity to challenge the ear
and amplify its effect. This music therefore yields a fair reward, partially derived
from a firm conviction in these performances.
This CD does its job well and the composer must be very pleased that his music
has so effective a promotional tool.
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