Rautavaara: Sacred Works for Mixed Choirs

Track Listings

1. Credo

2. Canticum Mariae Virginis

3. The Lord's Prayer

4. Psalm 23

5. Psalm 130

6. Magnificat: I. Magnificat

7. Magnificat: II. Quia Respexit - Misericordia

8. Magnificat: III. Fecit Potentiam

9. Magnificat: IV. Suscepit Israel

10. Magnificat: V. Gloria

11. Communion: I. Communion Hymn I

12. Communion: II. Communion Hymn II

13. Communion: Kyrie

14. Communion: Shepherd Psalm

15. Ave Maria

16. Missa Duodecanonica: Kyrie

17. Missa Duodecanonica: Sanctus Per Cancrizam

18. Missa Duodecanonica: Agnus Dei In Motu Contrario

19. Charity Never Faileth

20. Legend

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara may be the most exciting composer working today. His works are consistently good, rich in the folk traditions of his homeland, and, most important, challenging in concept but easy to appreciate. And that about sums up Sacred Works for Mixed Chorus, a collection of Rautavaara's masses, psalms, and hymns sung to perfection by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir. Spanning 40 years (1953-1995) of his long career, Rautavaara's sacred music is less defined by any one religion than the entire concept--Catholic and Greek Orthodox texts sit side by side--and the composer never succumbs to predictability. Highlights abound: On "Canticum Mariae Virginis" and "Magnificat," bass and soprano voices exchange dialogue over the choir's mystical sonic backdrop; Christmas hymn "Marjatan jouluvirsi" (from the composer's choral opera Marjatta matala neiti) is simple and sweet; and "Credo" is a set of three variations on one motif--based on the composer's belief that "only difficult things are worth doing." In short, there's something here for everyone, and everyone should hear Rautavaara. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Credo
Canticum Mariae Virginis
Herran rukous
Psalmi 23
Psalmi 130
Magnificat: I Magnificat
Magnificat: II Quia respexit - misericordia
Magnificat: III Fecit potentiam
Magnificat: IV Suscepit Israel
Magnificat: V Gloria
Nattvarden: Psalm vid nattvarden I (Communion Hymn I)
Nattvarden: Psalm vid nattvarden II (Communion Hymn II)
Nattvarden: Kyrie
Nattvarden: Herdepsalm (Shepherd Psalm)
Ave Maria
Missa Duodecanonica: Kyrie
Missa Duodecanonica: Sanctus per cancrizan
Missa Duodecanonica: Agnus Dei in motu contrario
Rakkaus ei koskaan h
Legenda
Marjatan Jouluvirsi
Joulun Virsi
Avuksihuutopsalmi
Ehtoohymni

Amazon.com

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara may be the most exciting composer working today. His works are consistently good, rich in the folk traditions of his homeland, and, most important, challenging in concept but easy to appreciate. And that about sums up Sacred Works for Mixed Chorus, a collection of Rautavaara's masses, psalms, and hymns sung to perfection by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir. Spanning 40 years (1953-1995) of his long career, Rautavaara's sacred music is less defined by any one religion than the entire concept--Catholic and Greek Orthodox texts sit side by side--and the composer never succumbs to predictability. Highlights abound: On "Canticum Mariae Virginis" and "Magnificat," bass and soprano voices exchange dialogue over the choir's mystical sonic backdrop; Christmas hymn "Marjatan jouluvirsi" (from the composer's choral opera Marjatta matala neiti) is simple and sweet; and "Credo" is a set of three variations on one motif--based on the composer's belief that "only difficult things are worth doing." In short, there's something here for everyone, and everyone should hear Rautavaara. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Ethereal recording from a doomed choir.......2004-10-15

I discovered Rautavaara's music a few years ago, and remain hopelessly enamoured of his choral music in particular. The works on this disc are no exception. The Magnificat and Canticum Mariae Virgines are especially compelling. And the performances by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir are extremely fine.

Lovers of contemporary Finnish music might want to know that on 14 October 2004, the Finnish Broadcasting Company announced they will abolish the Radio Chamber Choir after the 2004-2005 season. The Chamber Choir was founded in 1961 and has premiered nearly 100 works.

Legend.......2000-02-22

On WOSU-FM this morning I heard "Legend" (until it was over I had no idea what I was listening to) and was enthalled enough to order the CD. I knew the music was contemporary yet it gave the impression of something ancient and austere. Richly colored choral blend yet not dark or heavy. Wandering and open yet not formless--at times almost sounded like a fugue. Not programmatic music, not a tone poem, yet visually suggestive of a winter landscape of ice and water reflecting unusual colors never seen before.

A rich and rewarding CD.......2000-01-30

I first discovered the works of this remarkable Finnish composer through his orchestral release "On the Last Frontier" last year. In this, the first disc to showcase his small-scale choral writing, I have discovered an instant classic. As explained in the booklet notes (written by the composer) these short pieces cover a forty-year time period, during which Rautavaara has explored his personal faith (he is Finnish Orthodox) through sacred writing for unaccompanied choir. The result is a striking and impressive programme with a wide range of expression and depth. As a composer, Rautavaara's greatest strength seems to be the skill with which he writes for any instrument, and in writing for choir he produces an amazing sound-world. At some moments, I did feel that I was hearing the influence of more familiar "New Mystic" composers (in particular Gorecki)- an example being the breathtaking opening to the second track, an extended piece in praise of the Mother of God. Nonetheless, at the core, Rautavaara is a truly individual twentieth century composer, and other works such as the first track- "Credo"- and the multi-faceted "Magnificat" halfway through reflect his distinctive voice.

I think this is a very addictive programme- not too long, but brimming with variety and placing the simple next to the complex. With regard to performance, the Finnish Radio Choir is immaculate- they give apt voice to each work and will have you hanging on every single note. To cap it all, the sound quality is without blemish.

I haven't found a choral CD this gripping in ages. I hope you will agree with me that it is one of the finest contemporary recordings ever made.

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1. Credo
2. Canticum Mariae Virginis
3. The Lord's Prayer
4. Psalm 23
5. Psalm 130
6. Magnificat: I. Magnificat
7. Magnificat: II. Quia Respexit - Misericordia
8. Magnificat: III. Fecit Potentiam
9. Magnificat: IV. Suscepit Israel
10. Magnificat: V. Gloria
11. Communion: I. Communion Hymn I
12. Communion: II. Communion Hymn II
13. Communion: Kyrie
14. Communion: Shepherd Psalm
15. Ave Maria
16. Missa Duodecanonica: Kyrie
17. Missa Duodecanonica: Sanctus Per Cancrizam
18. Missa Duodecanonica: Agnus Dei In Motu Contrario
19. Charity Never Faileth
20. Legend