Saariaho, Kaija - Circle Map, Graal Théâtre & other works - Herresthal, Peter

Many of Kaija Saariaho's works are named after natural phenomena, which serve as the starting point for her compositional process. Composed in 1998, Neiges was inspired by the different properties of snow and explores instrumental languages and colors similar to those in her earlier works. On this album, the work is heard in a previously unreleased version for twelve cellos, performed by the cellists of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Another source of inspiration has been medieval literature, which formed the basis for Saariaho's first concerto for the Graal Théâtre and her recently published work Vers toi qui es si loin (2018). Recorded here for the first time, the work is a transcription of an aria from the opera L'Amour de loin, written for violinist Peter Herresthal. These two works for violin and orchestra complement this rich album and frame Circle Map, a six-part work for large orchestra. The work is permeated by six short poems by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, which provide inspiration with their essence and vivid imagery, but are also part of the musical material through a recording of the poems recited in Persian. This recording forms the raw material for the electronics included in the work, but also for much of the music written for the orchestra, for example in terms of pitch and intonation. All four works are conducted by Clément Mao.