• Kaija Saariaho
  • Graal théâtre (1994)
    (Graal theatre)

  • Chester Music Ltd (World)

Commissioned by the BBC and VARA Radio 4, Netherlands. Dedicated to Gidon Kremer

The reduced score (CH61077-01) is in fact the arrangement for two pianos. It requires two grand pianos with sostenuto pedal. It may be used for rehearsal of both full orchestra and chamber versions. The solo violin part is supplied separately (CH61222-01).Graal Théâtre (Not a Knight) is a version with text of the violin concerto Graal Théâtre. Only minor musical changes have been made to the score of the concerto to accommodate the presence of an actor speaking the text, which was written by Aleksi Barrière to the existing music.

  • 2.2.3.2/4.2.2.1/4perc/hp.pf/str(12.10.8.6.4)
  • violin; 1(pic).1.1+bcl.1/2.1.0+btbn.0/2perc/hp.pf/str(1.1.1.1.1)
  • violin
  • 25 min
    • 8th May 2025, Liederhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
    • 9th May 2025, Liederhalle, Stuttgart, Germany
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Programme Note

Graal théâtre (Grail theatre) takes its title from a book of the same name by Jacques Roubaud. While I was working on my violin concerto the book inspired me indirectly in two ways: firstly the title expresses the tension that I feel between the efforts of the composer when writing music and the theatrical aspect of a performance, especially in the case of a concerto, where the soloist, both physically and musically is playing a major role. Roubaud's interpretation of the old legend with its very personal example, also encouraged me to realise something that I had long found impossible: to bring an idea of the violin concerto, a genre with so many moving and skilful masterpieces, into my musical framework and language,

The initial source of inspiration for the piece is the playing and musicianship of Gidon Kremer, to whom the piece is dedicated.

When compared to my other music, Graal théâtre is the exception in a long row of pieces in which I combine acoustic instruments with some kind of electronic extensions. Unlike these earlier works my starting point here was the delicate violin sound and its interaction with an orchestra.

© Kaija Saariaho

Media

Graal Théâtre: I. Delicato
Graal Théâtre: II. Impetuoso

Scores

Preview the score

Reviews

The central characteristic of Saariaho’s music, constant tension of slow changing, is microscopic drama at its best: as if one would examine large quantities of identical snowflakes first from a distance and then more closely and closely, so that the diversity and wealth of the flakes’ figures suddenly dawned like a stroke of lightning. … The climax of the huge concert was the premiere of the chamber version of GRAAL THÉÂTRE. … In the chamber version of her brilliant [violin] concerto Saariaho has reduced her spectra to become more evocative and in their individuality maybe more touching, too.
Jukka Isopuro, Helsingin Sanomat
1st September 1997
It is indeed a superbly made piece, elegantly shaped, addressing and challenging the canons of violinistic virtuosity… It is rare, at this point, to see a composer get to grips with writing that is virtuostic, Paganinian, without succumbing to aridity, and without the piece losing its whole raison d’être.
Jacques-Emmanuel Fousnaquer, Le Monde
1st February 1996
Its protagonist is a solo violin (here played by Gideon Kremer, to whom the work is dedicated). The drama of the music is created by the fearsome virtuosity – but also the lyricism – of the violin part in the context of an everchanging orchestral texture, sometimes drawing its ideas from the violin’s lead, sometimes complementing it with other gestures…highly effective in its scintillating juxtapositions and interweavings of delicacy and richness, activity and stillness.
Geoffrey Norris, The Daily Telegraph
1st August 1995

Discography

Kaija Saariaho

Kaija Saariaho
  • Label
    BIS Records
  • Catalogue Number
    CD BIS-2402
  • Conductor
    Clement Mao-Takacs
  • Ensemble
    Oslo Philharmonic
  • Soloist
    Peter Herresthal
  • Released
    6th September 2019

Saariaho Salonen

Saariaho Salonen
  • Label
    Sony Music
  • Catalogue Number
    SK 60817
  • Conductor
    Esa-Pekka Salonen
  • Ensemble
    Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra / Avanti! Orchestra / BBC Symphony Orchestra
  • Soloist
    Anssi Kattunen, cello / Dawn Upshaw, sorprano / Gidon Kremer, violin
  • Released
    2001

Works for Orchestra

Works for Orchestra
  • Label
    Ondine
  • Catalogue Number
    ODE 1113-2Q
  • Conductor
    Esa-Pekka Salonen
  • Ensemble
    Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Soloist
    Anu Komsi (soprano), Riikka Rantanen (contralto), Petri Alanko (alto flute), Anssi Karttunen (cello), Petteri Salomaa (baritone), John Storgards (violin), Pia Freund (soprano), Gabriel Suovanen (baritone), Karita Mattila (soprano)