Einojuhani Rautavaara - Violin Concerto; Autumn Gardens (Ulf Wallin; Ari Rasilainen)

Information

Composer: Einojuhani Rautavaara

• Violin Concerto
• 2 Sérénades: No. 1, Sérénade pour mon amour
• Autumn Gardens

Ulf Wallin, violin

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra

Ari Rasilainen, conductor

Date: 2025

Label: CPO

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The music of Einojuhani Rautavaara reflects a stylistic evolution that mirrors major developments in post-1950 classical music. Initially influenced by serialism, he later rejected its constraints in favor of a more personal and expressive language, a decision that significantly strengthened his international reputation. Rautavaara’s works invite deep emotional engagement from listeners while offering a rich spiritual dimension. Among his most notable compositions are the Violin Concerto, which contains subtle echoes of Sibelius; Gardens in Autumn, written around the turn of the millennium; and the Sérénade from 2016, composed shortly before his death. These works exemplify the clarity, lyricism, and emotional depth that have made them enduring highlights of the Finnish composer’s repertoire.

Swedish violinist Ulf Wallin studied at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm with Sven Karpe and later in Vienna with Wolfgang Schneiderhan. He has performed internationally across Europe, Asia, and the United States, collaborating with renowned conductors such as Jesús López Cobos, Manfred Honeck, Paavo Järvi, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. An active chamber musician, he has appeared with artists including Bruno Canino, Heinz Holliger, Elisabeth Leonskaja, and András Schiff. Wallin regularly performs at major festivals and leading venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie, La Scala, the Musikverein, and Wigmore Hall. Known for his dedication to contemporary music, he has worked closely with composers including Alfred Schnittke and Rodion Shchedrin. He teaches in Berlin and Vienna and performs on a 1746 Domenico Montagnana violin.

Ari Rasilainen (b. 1959, Helsinki) is a Finnish conductor who began his career as a violinist before studying conducting at the Sibelius Academy with Jorma Panula and Arvid Jansons. He gained international recognition in 1989 after placing second at the Nicolai Malko Competition. Rasilainen has held chief and guest conducting posts across Scandinavia and Europe, including with the Norwegian Radio Symphony, Jyväskylä Symphony, Pori Sinfonietta, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, and South West German Philharmonic. He has conducted major orchestras worldwide, worked with leading soloists, recorded over 70 CDs, and since 2011 has been Professor of Conducting at Würzburg Music Academy.