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style, a unique way of composing that is very expressive, very individual, very much his own. Clearly in Cincinnati it’s a normal thing to hear his music.” Other orchestras are starting to program Tüür’s music. In addition to Järvi’s brother Kristjan and father, Neeme, the conductors Eri Klas and Mark Shapiro as well as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra have performed Tüür’s music in recent seasons. Paavo Järvi’s advocacy has clearly had an impact. “Orchestras are gladly accepting my suggestions to perform his music,” he says. “I conduct his music everywhere. As an Estonian, it is logical that I am introducing Estonian music to American musicians and audiences.” “Paavo has done a great job, not only in the U.S. but also in Europe and Japan,” acknowledges Tüür. “He really understands my scores and believes strongly in what I’m doing. Reaching an American audience is very important to me. The repeat exposure to my music in Cincinnati has given the audience a much wider view and better 1:16:47 PM understanding of my oeuvre in general.” Nordic Sounds
At the Minnesota Orchestra, Music Director Osmo Vänskä has been programming the music of Kalevi Aho. Born in 1949, Aho is regarded as perhaps the most important Finnish symphonist since Sibelius. The BBC Philharmonic will premiere his Symphony No. 15 next year in
Manchester, England. He is widely known in Europe and Asia and has an impressive 23 CDs to his credit. In the U.S., performances have been rare. Minneapolis has been a breakout city. Aho and Vänskä met in the 1980s through the Lahti Symphony, when Aho was composer in residence. Vänskä has premiered twenty of Aho’s compositions. “Kalevi has given me a lot of hard times,” Vänskä chuckles. “I like his music, even though it is extremely complicated and it has given me many grey hairs! His works are so powerful. He connects us emotionally. If his music gives an audience member tears—there is something. That something is what I am always looking for when I conduct. I have been championing his music for years. I saw what Esa-Pekka [Salonen] has done for Magnus [Lindberg] and Kaija [Saariaho] and I thought, it is my duty to take care of Kalevi, because I believe in his music. He is such a strong artist. I know too many composers who score a piece to please people. That makes them weak. Kalevi doesn’t want to please anyone. He just writes things he is hearing, and that’s it. And he strikes that emotional resonance. That makes him strong.” Aho is appreciative. “It is a fantastic thing to see Finnish music getting so much international attention,” he declares. “Every audience is important, but the leading American orchestras are so good. To hear one’s music played so well. . .” He
“I could hardly believe it: the audience stood and cheered, immediately, for a contemporary, almost brand-new piece,” says Minnesota Public Radio Senior Producer Brian Newhouse of Kalevi Aho’s Symphony No. 7. jangilbertmusic.com 12910 Hamlet Ave. Apple Valley MN 55124 Three New Works for Young Audiences for Narrator and Orchestra which take children to all parts of the globe Stories from India, Laos, and Alaska
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smiles. “Someone told me the audience in Minneapolis was conservative, but there are a lot of new-music performances here. I have had no problems with reception of my pieces.” Reactions have indeed been consistent among both listeners and musicians. Minnesota Public Radio Senior Producer Brian Newhouse, who broadcasts the Minnesota Orchestra’s Friday night subscription concerts, says, “The ‘Insect’ Symphony [No.7] was the first I’d heard of Aho’s music. Here’s this 50-minute long work, and it was so gripping! I could hardly believe it: the audience stood and cheered, immesymphony
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