Saariaho, Kaija - Saariaho X Koh - Koh, Jennifer (violin)

Jennifer Koh, "a brilliant violinist" (The New Yorker) who performs "with conviction, ferocity, and irresistible playfulness" (Washington Post), presents works by Kaija Saariaho. Kaija Saariaho is a visionary and influential Finnish composer with whom Koh has collaborated closely and feels a deep personal connection. The album features the world premiere recording of Saariaho's Light and Matter for violin, cello, and piano, inspired by the colors and shadows of sunlight in the city park outside the composer's window. The violin and cello version of Aure is also being recorded for the first time. The work was created and dedicated to Koh and cellist Anssi Karttunen, another master of Saariaho's music. The largest work on the album is the one that originally attracted Koh: the violin concerto Graal Théâtre, composed for Gidon Kremer, which Koh has performed several times and performs here in the composer's chamber orchestra version. Grove Music Online notes that the work illustrates "Saariaho's rich and expansive string style, but emphasizes melody more than her earlier works." Tocar, Spanish for "to touch," explores the playful and tactile aspects of the word through the violin and piano. Cloud Trio for violin, viola, and cello was inspired by the ever-changing clouds of the French Alps. Saariaho X Koh is the violinist's twelfth album on the Cedille Records label, which includes the Grammy-nominated String Poetic. Reviewing her album Bach & Beyond Part 2, ClassicsToday.com declared: "When Jennifer Koh plays, people listen. Or they should."