Search - Kaija Saariaho, Christoph Eschenbach, Paris Orchestra :: Kaija Saariaho: Notes on Light; Orion; Mirage

Notes on Light, a superb cello concerto!

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 11/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The three recent Kaija Saariaho compositions found here were recorded live in Paris in March, 2008 to open the Festival 100% Finlande. Christoph Eschenbach leads the Orchestre de Paris in fine performances of a cello concerto, an orchestral work, and a vocal work featuring soprano, cello and orchestra.



To my ear, Saariaho, who as a younger composer reflected radical influences including her teacher Gerard Grisey as well as Ligeti and even Xenakis, is moving ever more firmly toward Debussy. She has always pursued an ethereal timbre and texture, incorporating electronics from her studies at IRCAM, and her music once evoked the Northern Lights. But after living in France since the 1980s, she seems to have absorbed a more full-bodied, lusher aesthetic, appropriately conveyed by the Parisian orchestra.



"Notes on Light" (2006 -- 27'31") is outstanding. Written for and performed by Anssi Karttunen, Saariaho's favorite cellist, it moves through five movements (Translucent, secret; On fire; Awakening; Eclipse; Heart of light), and showcases the mysterious and enchanting style Saariaho has become known for. It is an altogether worthy successor to her violin concerto "Graal Theatre" and the cello concerto "Amers," both heard on the 2001 Sony disc featuring Gidon Kremer and Anssi Karttunen. This is the first recording of "Notes on Light."



I don't find "Orion" (2002 -- 21'58") nearly as satisfying. This is the second recording, following the 2005 debut by the BBC Symphony Orchestra's live recording at the Proms. It seems that Saariaho has some difficulty with large-scale structure without the solo line of a concerto to provide the forward impetus. It is certainly a colorful and dramatic work, with some of the largest and loudest passages in her writing, illustrating images of Orion the Hunter.



"Mirage" (2007 -- 13'37) is a more compelling piece which features stunning virtuosity from soprano Karita Mattila. Karttunen's cello plays a supporting role, adding the tone that Saariaho so loves (cello and flute have been her favorite instruments to write for over the years). Structure is, again, not the strong suit here, and the piece ends weakly. Saariaho's major works of recent years have been operas, and this is reflected in the strong vocal line in "Mirage."



While not marking any sharp stylistic departures, this is a fine showing for one of today's finest composers. Not perhaps essential, but highly recommended for "Notes on Light," an absolutely outstanding new cello concerto!"