Name

Kaija Saariaho

Bio

Kaija Saariaho is a prominent member of a group of Finnish artists who are making a worldwide impact. She studied in Helsinki, Fribourg and Paris.

At IRCAM, Saariaho developed techniques of computer-assisted composition and acquired fluency in working on tape and with live electronics. This experience influenced her approach to writing for orchestra, with its emphasis on the shaping of dense masses of sound in slow transformations. Significantly, her first orchestral piece, Verblendungen (1984), involves a gradual exchange of roles and character between orchestra and tape. And even the titles of her, linked, pair of orchestral works, Du Cristal (1989) and …à la Fumée (1990) suggest her preoccupation with colour and texture. Although much of her catalogue comprises chamber works, she has turned increasingly to larger forces and broader structures, such as Orion (2004), Laterna Magica (2008), Circle Map (2008).

The detailed notation using harmonics, microtonaly and detailed continuum of sound extending from pure tone to unpitched noise – all features found in one of her most frequently performed works, Graal Théâtre for violin and orchestra (1994). Her catalogue also includes Aile du songe (2001), Notes on Light (2006), D’OM LE VRAI SENS (2010), Maan Varjot (2014). In 2015, Gerald Finley and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, premier True Fire for baritone and orchestra.

From later nineties, Saariaho has turned to opera, with outstanding success: L’Amour de Loin (2000), Adrian Mater (2006), Emilie (2010) and the oratorio La Passion de Simone (2006). Her opera Only the Sound Remains was premiered in March 2016 at The Dutch National Opera. Other performances will follow in Paris, Helsinki, Madrid and Toronto.

Saariaho has claimed the major composing awards: Grawemeyer Award, Wihuri Prize, Nemmers Prize, Sonning Prize, Polar Music Prize. In 2015 she was the judge of the Toru Takemitsu Composition Award.

Kaija Saariaho’s harp concerto Trans was premiered in August 2016 by Xavier de Maistre and The Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ernest Martinez-Izquierdo at the Suntory Hall, Tokyo.

Professional website

https://saariaho.org/

Scores

Aile du songe

Arabesques et Adages

Ballade

Calices

Cloud Trio

Dolce Tormento

Dreaming: Variation on a Chaconne by Giuseppe Colombi

Duft

Echo!

Ferdinand's Comfort

Figura

Frises

Horloge, Tais-Toi!

Je Sens un Deuxième Cœur

Kesäpäivä

L'amour de Loin: opera in five acts

Laterna Magica

Leino-laulut: for soprano and orchestra

Leino-laulut: for soprano and piano

Light and Matter

Lumière et Pesanteur

Luonnon Kasvot

Message pour Gérard: in memory of Gérard Grisey

Mirage

Notes on Light

Orion

La Passion de Simone

Prelude

Quatre Instants

Sept Papillons

Serenatas

Terra Memoria

Tocar

Trois Rivières: Delta

True Fire

Vent Nocturne