This work is scored for a string orchestra of twenty players. The piano part is honouring the ‘Beethovenian-Lisztian-Brahmsian’ pianistic tradition. At times it is lean and linear, but the work also contains multi-layered, full-toned piano textures and massive rolling octaves. The 30-minute concerto requires great artistry on the part of the performer. It comprises 3…
In spring 2006 Kalevi Aho came across the posthumously published The Book of Questions (1974) by Pablo Neruda. It consists of short, exquisite questions which force the reader to look at things from an entirely new perspective. Aho selected some of the texts for this 24-minute song cycle (2006) and combined their Finnish translation (by…
La Violina for 4 violins introduces technics used in modern music and it is challenging yet not overly difficult for young musicians who are about to start their professional studies. All the four parts of this 8-minute piece are equally important. Two fast movements frame the slower, cantabile-like middle movement.Score & parts 55011-616-0, € 27,50
Kalevi Aho composed the second violin concerto in 2015 for the Finnish violinist Elina Vähälä. The 32-minute concerto is a large-scale virtuoso work dominated by the soloist. The piano reduction is made by Kari Vehmanen. Solo part & piano reduction 55011-615-3, € 43,50
Halla (1992) was made as the compulsory piece for a Nordic violin and piano duo competition in Vaasa 1992. For some reason the competition was however cancelled so the piece was not premiered until 1994 by Semmy Stahlhammer and Juhani Lagerspetz at the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival. Duration 8 minutes. 55011-496-8, € 13,50
Lied (2017) was composed as an 80th-birthday gift for Jouko Teikari, former solo oboist in the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. The 5,5-minute piece highlights the singing aspect of oboe, Lied is like a long instrumental song.55011-614-6, € 13,50
Kalevi Aho’s Flute Concerto (2002) was initially inspired by the magnificent, enigmatic poetry of the Swede Tomas Tranströmer, but the vocal ideas nevertheless adapted themselves to the flute. There is lots of singing, lyrical music at the beginning and end of this three-movement work. This is one of the most beautiful works Aho has ever…
Kalevi Aho’s Clarinet concerto (2005) has five movements played without pause. It was premiered in London by Martin Fröst in 2006 and is one of the best known and most beloved concertos by Aho. Solo part & piano reduction 55011-573-6, € 43,50 Buy now
Kalevi Aho (b. 1949) was only 18 years old in 1967 when he completed his String quartet No. 1 in G minor. Nonetheless it was already the second one of its kind: the earlier string quartet in A minor "String Quartet No. 0" was withdrawn. This G minor quartet was heard the first time only…
Kalevi Aho’s popular series of Solo pieces for different instruments gets a new piece for harp. Solo XVI (Ballade) was premiered in June 2019 by Anneleen Lenaerts in Forssa, Finland at the Musica Kalevi Aho Festival. Duration c. 11 min. 55011-490-6, € 13,40
