Einojuhani Rautavaara

Einojuhani Rautavaara (born October 9, 1928) is probably the best-known Finnish composer of his generation. Rautavaara is a prolific composer and has written in a variety of forms and styles. Much of his work is quite accessible and has proved to be quite popular. His compositions include eight symphonies, several concertos, choral works (several for unaccompanied choir, including Vigilia (1971-72)), sonatas for various instruments, string quartets and other chamber music, and a number of operas including Vincent (1986-87, based on the life of Vincent Van Gogh), Aleksis Kivi (1995-96) and Rasputin (2001-2003) A number of his works have parts for magnetic tape, including Cantus Arcticus (1972, also known as Concerto for Birds & Orchestra) for taped bird song and orchestra, and True and False Unicorn (1971, second version 1974, revised 2001-02), the final version of which is for three reciters, choir, orchestra and tape. His latest works include Book of Visions (2003-2005) for orchestra and Manhattan Trilogy (2003-2005) for string orchestra. Rautavaara had a serious seizure at the beginning of the year 2004 but has later on recovered. Many of Rautavaara's works have been recorded, with a performance of his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1995), by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Leif Segerstam on the Ondine label, being a particular critical and popular success - it was nominated for several awards, including a Grammy.