Orchestral, Symphonies, Rautavaara (composer)

Rautavaara's First Symphony, written in 1955 in four movements, was recast in 1988 – not wholly convincingly – as a diptych. In 2003 Rautavaara added a new slow movement based on a song composed... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010More…

The BIS recording is excellent, with state-of-the-art sound, and Vanska's performance has impressive power and atmosphere; he keeps the music moving and casts a strong spell. — Penguin Guide, 2011 editionMore…

No other new music stands to benefit more from extensive exposure, not so much because of its quality (which is beyond question), as because of an almost tangible connection with nature, than... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010More…

The Seventh Symphony's opening Tranquillo evokes a calm though powerful atmosphere, with many Sibelian points of reference, especially in recognisable echoes of the Largo fourth movement from... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010More…

The Concerto (2001) is predominantly reflective and highly imaginative in its use of texture...[Nordmann] gives a performance of great distinction and subtlety...Excellent playing from the Helsinki... — Penguin Guide, 2011 editionMore…

The conducting of Hannu Koivula captures the mysticism of the musical language, while he also has a real grip on the structure. — MusicWeb InternationalMore…