Kaija Saariaho - Chamber Music

Thanks again to the endlessly illuminating Aporia6 for this amazing and commercially unavailable recording. from the very first listen, it has also become my favorite of all the beautiful albums by this Finnish composer. the earlier work was more uncompromising and abrasive, and later condensed into somewhat of a "signature style" associated with elongated, icy tones forming other-worldly arcs above subtle, alien soundscapes, often involving flutes, electronics, and voice. many of the pieces which comprise this recording, to my ears is the best possible synthesis of the complex dynamics of the earlier period and the alien beauty of the later, impeccably realized by the Wolpe Trio.

Kaija Saariaho: Chamber Music
Wolpe Trio / Andreas Boettger / Thomas Neuhaus
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Kaija Saariaho (*1952) :

01: Cendres (1998) for alto flute, violoncellocello and piano [9:02] ,
02: Noa Noa (1992) for flute and electronics [8:21] ,
03: Mirrors (orig. version 1997) for flute and violoncello [3:31] ,
04: Spins and Spells (1996) for violoncello solo [5:58] ,
05: Monkey Fingers, Velvet Hand (1991) for piano solo [2:59] ,
06: Petals (1988) for violoncello (electronics ad libitum) [8:53] ,
07: Mirrors (version L. Olson 1998) for flute and violoncello [3:30] ,
08: Laconisme de l'aile (1982) for solo flute with optional electronics [10:23] ,
Six Japanese Gardens (1993/1995) for percussion and electronics [18:33]
09: Tenju-an Garden of Nanzen-ji Temple [3:08]
10: Many pleasures (Garden of Kinkaku-ji) [1:37]
11: Dry Mountain Stream [3:23]
12: Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji [3:56]
13: Moss Garden of Saiho-ji [2:48]
14: Stone Bridges [3:43]

Wolpe Trio:
Lesley Olson, flute
Scott Roller, violoncello
Susanne Achilles, piano

Thomas Neuhaus, live-electronics - (2, 6, 8)
Andreas Boettger, percussion and live electronics (9-14)

KAIROS 0012412KAI - Total Time: 72:12

please do enjoy.