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 that by Rautavaara. One constantly senses the joy of a man alone with the elements: awe-struck, contented, inspired. Bird-song comes from all directions, literally in the ' Concerto for birds and orchestra' or Cantusarcticus, which sets taped bird-song against a rustic orchestral backdrop. The tape blends well with the music and is very atmospheric.
The young Finnish conductor Hannu Lintu directs a fine performance. The First Piano Concerto and Third Symphony (out of seven) receive good performances, most notably the Brucknerian Symphony, an impressive and often dramatic work that begins and ends in the key of D minor. The orchestration incorporates four Wagner tubas, though some of the finest material is also the quietest.
The slow movement is sullen but haunting, the Scherzo occasionally suggestive of Nielsen or Martinu and the finale brings the parallels with Bruckner fully within earshot. The First Piano Concerto has a brilliance and immediacy that should please orchestral adventurers and piano aficionados. The solo writing employs clusters and much filigree fingerwork, but it's the noble, chorale-like second movement that leaves the strongest impression. Laura Mikkola gives a good performance. Naxos gives a full sound picture and overall, this is an excellent CD, concisely annotated by the composer.

a masterpiece that blows away the oft-expressed contention that there's no great music in traditional forms being written today