KAIJA SAARIAHO - L'AILE DU SONGE (fresh link aug.15.2009)

not sure but I think this Finnish composer, who has worked with all the big men of avant classical such as Stockhausen and Xenakis, is considered a Post-Spectralist.

this album contains chillingly beautiful pieces inspired by birds, involving flutes, narration, electronics, and digitally manipulated recordings of birds.

"During the past several years, composer Kaija Saariaho has gained a fair amount of attention outside her native Finland. It's easy to understand why she has become such a favorite. She has an incredible command of tonal color--both in writing for individual instruments and in ensemble orchestration--and she has a gift for writing music that is accessible yet thoroughly informed by more progressive elements. Saariaho draws upon both these talents on L'Aile du songe, a clever program of works inspired by birds. Perhaps not surprisingly considering the bird theme, the disc's focus is on the flute, an instrument that has long attracted Saariaho and has itself long been associated with birdsong. 1982's Laconisme de l'aile demands a virtuosic instrumentalist who can tackle a whole range of effects. The accomplished American flutist Camilla Hoitenga, a champion of new music, handles Saariaho's demanding work with fluency and ease. When the composer calls for the sweetest, most lyrical tone, Hoitenga complies beautifully. It's no surprise, then, that Saariaho dedicated her 2002 concerto, L'Aile du songe, to Hoitenga. Again, the flutist gives a bravado performance, this time in front of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra with Jukka-Pekka Saraste at the helm. Saraste coaxes a wonderful crispness and great articulation from his forces. Saariaho's fantastic scoring makes the most of the orchestra's varied colors." -- Anastasia Tsioulcas