Rautavaara: On the Last Frontier

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
During the last decade, Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928) has proven himself to be one of this century's greatest composers, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jean Sibelius in the annals of Finnish music. But while Sibelius relied more on melodic structures and thematic development, Rautavaara's musical ideas are advanced through atmospherics. This particular release contains a brilliant flute concerto, a ghostly tone poem (Anadyomene), and a beautiful fantasy for chorus and orchestra (On the Last Frontier). Conductor Leif Segerstam pilots the Helsinki Philharmonic (and flutist Patrick Gallois) through some of Rautavaara's best music here, particularly the flute concerto. Without a doubt this is a major release of classical music this year--and not a bad introduction to this astonishing composer. Very highly recommended. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Anadyomene
Flute Concerto, Op. 63 (Dances With The Winds, 1975): I. Andantino
Flute Concerto, Op. 63 (Dances With The Winds, 1975): 2. Vivace
Flute Concerto, Op. 63 (Dances With The Winds, 1975): 3. Andante moderato
Flute Concerto, Op. 63 (Dances With The Winds, 1975): 4. Allegro
A Fantasy For Chorus And Orchestra, 1997: On The Last Frontier

Amazon.com

During the last decade, Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928) has proven himself to be one of this century's greatest composers, standing shoulder to shoulder with Jean Sibelius in the annals of Finnish music. But while Sibelius relied more on melodic structures and thematic development, Rautavaara's musical ideas are advanced through atmospherics. This particular release contains a brilliant flute concerto, a ghostly tone poem (Anadyomene), and a beautiful fantasy for chorus and orchestra (On the Last Frontier). Conductor Leif Segerstam pilots the Helsinki Philharmonic (and flutist Patrick Gallois) through some of Rautavaara's best music here, particularly the flute concerto. Without a doubt this is a major release of classical music this year--and not a bad introduction to this astonishing composer. Very highly recommended. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Three great Rautavaara's works.......2004-07-31

I have learned about Rautavaara's music when listening to this CD. The tone poem Anadyomene surprised me; I had to listen to it three times in a row, so beautiful it still is. Modern and simple, that's what is all about. Too much contemporary classical music is lacking the beauty and simplicity. Rautavaara, as a Nordic composer, does not have these problems.
The flute concerto is a special one: all four standard flutes are used in the composition. While the first and third movements are superior in their development and display the highest degree of melodic beauty and technical perfection, other two movements suffer from shortness and lack of agility. Especially the fourth movement is pretty poor and does not conclude the otherwise well-written work to make it memorable.
A masterpiece for itself is the cantata On the last frontier. It has the similar qualities as the first piece on this CD, and it is even more ambitious. I admire the perfect recording by Helsinki Philharmonic and conductor Segerstam (When the composition was performed in Slovenia by a Slovene Philharmonic orchestra, the orchestra did not play very well). No more words. I will return to my CD player and listen to these pieces again.

A Finnish masterpiece.......1999-07-05

This CD is a most intriguing and unusual release. The main work, "On the Last Frontier", is worth the price of the disc alone- it is a brilliant and effective work, full of exquisite imagery that is well-wrought. Rautavaara is clearly a man with tremendous orchestral fluency. The Choir and Orchestra are beautifully directed by Segerstam, and it is to the performer's credit that they pull off a performance in English with utmost clarity. You will admittedly need a different set of ears on to listen to the other works on hear, but on the basis of this listening, I'd say that Rautavaara is Finland's greatest musical credit since Sibelius. This work is a true masterpiece.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Elvis at the International [Live] [Import]

Music Review: 16th Clara Haskil Competition 1995: Mihaela Ursuleasa

Koko Taylor [Original recording remastered]

Colors of Brazil/African Blue

Hold On/The Young & Hopeless [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

It's Not About Us

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Ella Fitzgerald

Handel - St. John Passion / Klietmann · Moldvay · Brett · Zadori · Verebics · Nemeth · Kallay · Gati · Capella Savaria · Pal Nemeth

John Fogerty

Haydn: String Quartets from Opp. 1 & 2

Jazz Music: A Handful of Keys