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Rautavaara: Sacred Works for Mixed Chorus
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About Rautavaara: Sacred Works For Mixed Chorus
Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara may be the most exciting composer working today. His works are consistently good, rich in the folk traditions of his homeland, and, most important, challenging in concept but easy to appreciate. And that about sums up Sacred Works for Mixed Chorus, a collection of Rautavaara's masses, psalms, and hymns sung to perfection by the Finnish Radio Chamber Choir. Spanning 40 years (1953-1995) of his long career, Rautavaara's sacred music is less defined by any one religion than the entire concept--Catholic and Greek Orthodox texts sit side by side--and the composer never succumbs to predictability. Highlights abound: On "Canticum Mariae Virginis" and "Magnificat," bass and soprano voices exchange dialogue over the choir's mystical sonic backdrop; Christmas hymn "Marjatan jouluvirsi" (from the composer's choral opera Marjatta matala neiti) is simple and sweet; and "Credo" is a set of three variations on one motif--based on the composer's belief that "only difficult things are worth doing." In short, there's something here for everyone, and everyone should hear Rautavaara. --Jason Verlinde
