Rautavaara's Riverboat

[Mirror Image]

The 3rd really is one of his best. It's serial music written to sound like Bruckner. Not being a Bruckner fan at all, I thought I would hate it, but I love that symphony. The 4th symphony is the exact opposite of the 3rd. It actually sounds like an avant-garde work, and it is the thorniest-sounding of the lot. The 3rd symphony is perhaps the most accessible of the ones he wrote in his middle period.

Ah, okay, thanks I'll have a listen to the 3rd soon. By the way, Bruckner he's my man! (to quote Wagner)

[eyeresist]

The 3rd really is one of his best. It's serial music written to sound like Bruckner. Not being a Bruckner fan at all, I thought I would hate it, but I love that symphony.

Ah, well I am a Bruckner fan, and this sounds like a terrible idea! But I guess the proof is in the pudding.

[vandermolen]

Me too. In fact, I really enjoyed his concerto Dances with the Winds for flute too. I've enjoyed most of the concertos I've heard from Rautavaara. His Violin Concerto is a very cool piece.

Thanks - I must look out for 'Dances with the Winds'. I see that there is an Ondine box set of the concertos and yes, the BIS CD of Symphony No 8 'The Journey' is a great place to start exploring Rautaavara.

[Dundonnell]

I remember well the first time I listened to the Third Symphony. I had bought the Ondine recording of Nos.1-3 and had listened to the first two symphonies. Then I put on No.3!
It opens with fluttering woodwind followed by a Brucknerian chorale passage. I just sat back in my chair in amazement and astonishment

I love the work Listening to it again now.

(Had a similar reaction when I first listened to Penderecki's 2nd )

This is exactly what I missed about GMG over the last two years...being reminded of musical enthusiasms and being propelled back towards music I had, not forgetten but had maybe neglected for a time

[Grazioso]

Ah, well I am a Bruckner fan, and this sounds like a terrible idea! But I guess the proof is in the pudding.

It's some good pudding, trust us! 

Thanks - I must look out for 'Dances with the Winds'. I see that there is an Ondine box set of the concertos and yes,

A beautiful concerto that features standard concert flute, piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute. It's part of that box, but you may want to get it as it was originally released, as the other two pieces are quite enjoyable:

[Dundonnell]

Oh........my goodness...how glorious the finale of the Third is!!!!!!!

A Bruckner lover should surely lap it up

[vandermolen]

Right - I shall be listening to Symphony No 3 too - ordered the Flute Concerto with Symphony 7 and the Cantus Articus on BIS.

[Mirror Image]

Right - I shall be listening to Symphony No 3 too - ordered the Flute Concerto with Symphony 7 and the Cantus Articus on BIS.

Excellent, I hope you this recording. It's excellent.

[vandermolen]

Excellent, I hope you this recording. It's excellent.

Many thanks.

OT

Just to let you know that I've been greatly enjoying the 'Latin America Alive' box set (Eduardo Mata with the Simon Bolivar SO of Venezuela), which I think was one of your recommendations.

[Mirror Image]

Many thanks.

OT

Just to let you know that I've been greatly enjoying the 'Latin America Alive' box set (Eduardo Mata with the Simon Bolivar SO of Venezuela), which I think was one of your recommendations.

Excellent Jeffery! Happy listening my friend!

[eyeresist]

Thanks to this thread I have been sampling Rautavaara's symphonies and now have several things in my wishlist. It seems to me that 3, 7 and 8 are perhaps the best, or at least the most accessible, so I will probably start with the Naxos discs. Those also include other important orchestral works. I noticed that the first movement of Manhattan Trilogy sounded very much like Vaughan Williams of the 3rd and 5th symphonies!

The Ondine box of all the symphonies is tempting, but I don't feel any great need to hear the 2nd or the 4th any time soon. Plus I am disappointed they didn't use Segerstam's recording of the 3rd. (The excellent Vanska CDs are well above my pay grade.)

[vandermolen]

Excellent, I hope you this recording. It's excellent.

Came back from my holiday to find the second-hand BIS CD with 'Dances with the Winds' waiting for me - have only heard it once so far but I really liked it - I'd forgotten how good Symphony No 7 'Angel of Light' and Cantas Articus were - sections reminded me of Vaughan Williams.  The opening of Symphony No 7 is marvellous very dark and eloquent with a kind of Tapiola like atmosphere to it.  In some ways I wish that Rautavaara had treated the very distinctive opening theme of Symphony No 8 in the same way - to my mind it disappears too quickly, although symphony No 8 is one of my most often played works by this composer. Anyway, the BIS disc is terrific, so many thanks for the recommendation.  I think than Vanska's is the best version of Symphony No 7 and I have the excellent Ondine version and the Naxos one too.

[Mirror Image]

Came back from my holiday to find the second-hand BIS CD with 'Dances with the Winds' waiting for me - have only heard it once so far but I really liked it - I'd forgotten how good Symphony No 7 'Angel of Light' and Cantas Articus were - sections reminded me of Vaughan Williams.  The opening of Symphony No 7 is marvellous very dark and eloquent with a kind of Tapiola like atmosphere to it.  In some ways I wish that Rautavaara had treated the very distinctive opening theme of Symphony No 8 in the same way - to my mind it disappears too quickly, although symphony No 8 is one of my most often played works by this composer. Anyway, the BIS disc is terrific, so many thanks for the recommendation.  I think than Vanska's is the best version of Symphony No 7 and I have the excellent Ondine version and the Naxos one too.

Yes, I think performances on the Vanska BIS recordings are excellent. I need to revisit these myself as I recall the performance of Symphony No. 7 and Symphony No. 8 the best I've heard.

[Lisztianwagner]

I don't listen to much contemporary classical music, but Rautavaara is certainly one of my favourite contemporary classical composers; so far, I've heard the symphonies, the Violin Concerto and the Piano Concerto No.3, definitely brilliant and evocative music, incredibly expressive.
I'm listening to Cantus Arcticus just now, for the first time.

[Scarpia]

Has anyone heard (live or in recording) the original version of Rautavaara's first symphony (before the two subsequent revisions)? 

[lescamil]

Has anyone heard (live or in recording) the original version of Rautavaara's first symphony (before the two subsequent revisions)?

I doubt this will ever see the light of day in Rautavaara's lifetime. I hate to say it, but it might have a much better chance of getting out to us after Rautavaara passes. The first symphony isn't really a "high priority" work within Rautavaara's oeuvre at the moment, anyhow.

[calyptorhynchus]

Is the Harp Concerto recommended?

[snyprrr]

Is the Harp Concerto recommended?

... and a year goes by...

What is THE Rautavaara piece? Of course, as soon as I wrote that, 'Cantus Acticus' pops into view, but, surely you have a better recommend? I used to have some of the Ondine series, can't remember much,... didn't like the Violin Concerto disc that much, and I've heard he got all New Age-y on us recently.

He looks to much like Gore Vidal, maybe that's what I don't like?

[pencils]

... and a year goes by...

What is THE Rautavaara piece?

Throws Symphony 7 into the ring...

[Mirror Image]

For me, Autumn Gardens sums up Rautavaara's musical world perfectly.