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- Kaija Saariaho
Petals (1988)
- Edition Wilhelm Hansen Helsinki (World)
- Cello & electronics (see link above for details)
- 9 min
Programme Note
For full information on the electronics, please see 'more info'.
Petals for solo cello was written abruptly in a few days, but evidently after a long unconscious preparation. The material stems directly from Nymphéa for string quartet and electronics. The name of the piece is derived from this relationship.
The opposite elements here are fragile coloristic passages which give birth to more energetic events with clear rhythmic and melodic character. These more sharply focussed figures pass through different transformations, and finally merge back to less dynamic but not the less intensive filigration.
In bringing together these very opposite modes of expressions I aimed to force the interpreter to stretch his sensibility.
Kaija Saariaho
Petals for solo cello was written abruptly in a few days, but evidently after a long unconscious preparation. The material stems directly from Nymphéa for string quartet and electronics. The name of the piece is derived from this relationship.
The opposite elements here are fragile coloristic passages which give birth to more energetic events with clear rhythmic and melodic character. These more sharply focussed figures pass through different transformations, and finally merge back to less dynamic but not the less intensive filigration.
In bringing together these very opposite modes of expressions I aimed to force the interpreter to stretch his sensibility.
Kaija Saariaho
Media
Saariaho : Petals
Scores
Score sample
Discography
Kaija Saariaho: 70 Years
- LabelOndine
- Catalogue NumberODE 1407-2
- ConductorMarko Letonja / Christoph Eschenbach / Hannu Lintu / Sakari Oramo / Jukka-Pekka Saraste / Esa-Pekka Salonen
- EnsembleOrchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg / Avanti! Chamber Orchestra / Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra / Meta4 / Orchestre de Paris
- SoloistWilhemina Smith, cello; Gerald Finley, bass-baritone; Camilla Hoitenga, flute; Anssi Karttunen, cello; Anu Komsi, soprano; Karita Mattila, soprano; John Storgårds, violin; Gabriel Suovanen, baritone; Dawn Upshaw, soprano; Karen Vourc'h, soprano
- ReleasedJanuary 2023
Kaija Saariaho: Cello Works
- LabelDUX
- Catalogue NumberDUX1686
- SoloistJoanna Gutowska, cello
- Released19th August 2022
Kaija Saariaho Complete Cello Works
- LabelAeon
- Catalogue NumberAECD 0636
- SoloistAlexis Descharmes, cello; Jérémie Fèvre, flute; Nicolas Baldeyrou, Bass Clarinete
- Released1st March 2006
20th Century Solo Cello
- LabelFinlandia
- Catalogue Number5441 82
- SoloistAnssi Karttunen, cello
- Released1993
Electro Acoustic Music 1
- LabelNeuma
- Catalogue Number450-73
- SoloistAnssi Karttunen, cello
- Released1990
- LabelPetals
- Catalogue Number001
- SoloistAnssi Karttunen, cello
Electricity
- LabelAlbany Records
- Catalogue NumberTROY726
- SoloistMadeleine Shapiro
Kaija Saariaho - Chamber Music
- LabelKAIROS
- Catalogue Number0012412KAI
- EnsembleWolpe Trio
- SoloistAndreas Boettger, percussion
- LabelFinlandia
- Catalogue NumberFACD 374
- ConductorJukka-Pekka Saraste
- EnsembleAvanti! Chamber Orchestra
- SoloistAnssi Karttunen, cello / Jukka Tiensuu, harpsichord
More Info
- Study for Life - a new dance production based on music by Kaija Saariaho
- 9th April 2025
- Tero Saarinen’s Study for Life will receive its world premiere at Holland Festival on 24th and 25th June 2025