Saariaho, Kaija - Touches - Complete Works for Piano & Harpsichord - Hakkila, Tuija

Pianist Tuija Hakkila enjoyed a close friendship with composer Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023) that lasted for over 40 years until the composer's death in 2023. Tuija Hakkila played a key role in Saariaho's solo piano and harpsichord productions. Although Kaija Saariaho composed several works for piano, she found composing for solo piano particularly challenging due to the limitations of the instrument. Although Saariaho's piano works are few in number, they are gems of the 21st century that continue in the tradition of Debussy's late works and Messiaen.