Rautavaara: Orchestral Works

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Explore the complete catalog of Orchestral compositions by Rautavaara. This curated list includes composition years, historical Wikipedia context, and interactive audio to add specific tracks directly to your listening queue.

Title Year Actions
A Finnish Myth, for string orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

A Soldier's Mass, for wind ensemble, op. 40

This is a list of Private Passions episodes from 2010 to 2014. It does not include repeated episodes or compilations.

A Tapestry of Life, for orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Adagio celeste, for strings

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Anadyomene, "Adoration of Aphrodite"
Angels and Visitations

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Annunciations, concerto for organ, brass and symphonic winds

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Autumn Gardens

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Ballad for Harp and Strings

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Before the Icons, for orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Book of Visions

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Canto 1, for string orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Canto 2, for string orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Canto 3, for string orchestra, "A Portrait of the Artist at a Certain Moment"

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Canto 4, for string orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Cantus Arcticus for orchestra and taped bird songs, op. 61

Cantus Arcticus, also known as Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, is a three-part orchestral work by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara that incorporates tape recordings of birdsong. Commissioned by Oulu University for its first doctoral conferment ceremony, Cantus Arcticus was premiered in Oulu on 18 October 1972 by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Portman. The score was published the same year. The work is dedicated to Urho Kekkonen, who was president of Finland at the time. Cantus Arcticus has enjoyed wide popularity. The reasons cited include the work's resemblance to familiar tonal music; the way it links music with nature by using recorded birdsong; the novelty of combining such recordings with a live orchestra; and its association with an idealised and exoticised version of Finland's culture and landscape. The work's appeal is also shown by its use in other musical contexts, including jazz compositions and film music.

Cantus Arcticus, for orchestra and taped bird songs, op. 61

Cantus Arcticus, also known as Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, is a three-part orchestral work by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara that incorporates tape recordings of birdsong. Commissioned by Oulu University for its first doctoral conferment ceremony, Cantus Arcticus was premiered in Oulu on 18 October 1972 by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Portman. The score was published the same year. The work is dedicated to Urho Kekkonen, who was president of Finland at the time. Cantus Arcticus has enjoyed wide popularity. The reasons cited include the work's resemblance to familiar tonal music; the way it links music with nature by using recorded birdsong; the novelty of combining such recordings with a live orchestra; and its association with an idealised and exoticised version of Finland's culture and landscape. The work's appeal is also shown by its use in other musical contexts, including jazz compositions and film music.

Cello Concerto

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Cello Concerto no. 2, "Towards the Horizon"

Towards the Horizon is the second cello concerto by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. The work was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of Osmo Vänskä. It was first performed by the cellist Arek Tesarczyk and the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, on September 30, 2010. The piece is dedicated to the cellist Truls Mørk, who was originally scheduled to perform the world premiere, but had to drop out due to health concerns.

Clarinet Concerto

A clarinet concerto is a concerto for clarinet; that is, a musical composition for solo clarinet together with a large ensemble (such as an orchestra or concert band). Albert Rice has identified a work by Giuseppe Antonio Paganelli as possibly the earliest known concerto for solo clarinet; its score appears to be titled "Concerto per il Clareto" and may date from 1733. It may, however, be intended for soprano chalumeau. There are earlier concerti grossi with concertino clarinet parts including two by Johann Valentin Rathgeber, published in 1728. Famed publishing house Breitkopf & Härtel published the first clarinet concerto in 1772. The instrument's popularity soared and a flurry of early clarinet concertos ensued. Many of these early concertos have largely been forgotten, though German clarinettist Dieter Klocker specialized in these "lost" works. Famous clarinet concertos of the Classical and early Romantic era include those of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Carl Maria von Weber and Louis Spohr. Relatively few clarinet concertos, or wind instrument concertos generally, were produced during the middle and late Romantic music era, but the form became more popular in the twentieth century, with famous clarinet concertos from Carl Nielsen and Aaron Copland, as well as more recent ones by composers such as John Adams, Kalevi Aho, Elliott Carter, John Corigliano, Magnus Lindberg, Donald Martino, Christopher Rouse, and John Williams.

Divertimento for String Orchestra

This is a list of musical compositions for keyboard instruments such as the piano, organ or harpsichord and orchestra. See entries for concerto, piano concerto, organ concerto and harpsichord concerto for a description of related musical forms.

Divertimento for string orchestra

This is a list of musical compositions for keyboard instruments such as the piano, organ or harpsichord and orchestra. See entries for concerto, piano concerto, organ concerto and harpsichord concerto for a description of related musical forms.

Epitaph for Béla Bartók, for string orchestra

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Flute Concerto, op. 63, "Dances with the Winds"
Garden of Spaces

Leif Selim Segerstam ( LAYF, 2 March 1944 – 9 October 2024) was a Finnish music composer, conductor, violinist, violist, and pianist. He is especially best known for writing over 300 symphonies, along with other works. He held many important positions in Finnish music industry both in Finland and around the world. From 1963 until his death in 2024, Segerstam conducted a variety of orchestras in Finland, Europe, North America, and Australia and New Zealand. He was conductor at Finnish National Opera, Royal Swedish Opera, and Deutsche Oper Berlin, and was a chief conductor of ORF Symphony Orchestra, Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, Danish National Radio Symphony, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. He is widely known through his recordings, including complete symphonies of Blomdahl, Brahms, Mahler, Nielsen, and Sibelius, as well as many works by contemporary composers. He is remembered for his contributions to Finnish music scene, and his vibrant personality. He taught as a professor of orchestra conducting at Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Harp Concerto

The following is a non-exhaustive list of notable compositions for the harp.

Hommage à Kodály Zoltán, for string orchestra

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Hommage à Liszt Ferenc, for string orchestra

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Lintukoto

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Lintukoto, for orchestra

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Manhattan Trilogy, for orchestra

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Modificata, for orchestra

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Pelimannit, for strings, op. 1

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Percussion Concerto, "Incantations"

Incantations for Percussion and Orchestra is a concerto for percussion and orchestra in three movements by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. The work was composed for the percussionist Colin Currie on a joint commission from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. The first performance was given in Royal Festival Hall, London by Currie and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under the conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin on October 24, 2009.

Piano Concerto no. 1

Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 45, in 1969. The piece contains many innovative uses of polytonality, cluster chords and extended uses of form. It was during this time that Rautavaara had become disenchanted with the serialist and twelve-tone techniques of his previous works, and abandoned them in favor of a more idiosyncratic, romantic, and avant-garde style.

Piano Concerto no. 2

Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 45, in 1969. The piece contains many innovative uses of polytonality, cluster chords and extended uses of form. It was during this time that Rautavaara had become disenchanted with the serialist and twelve-tone techniques of his previous works, and abandoned them in favor of a more idiosyncratic, romantic, and avant-garde style.

Piano Concerto no. 3, "Gift of Dreams"

Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Piano Concerto No. 3 (subtitled Gift of Dreams) in 1998, nine years after his previous concerto. The work was commissioned by the eminent conductor/pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy as a concerto which could be conducted from behind the piano, with Ashkenazy serving as soloist and conductor simultaneously. Ashkenazy did premiere the concerto in this dual role with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra in 1999. He has since toured around the world performing the concerto, subsequently recording it on Ondine, a Finnish record company. The work is in three movements, with a poignant central adagio. The work adopts tonal harmonies, as in Rautavaara's Piano Concerto No. 1, but the overall mood is much more calm and serene.

Pohjalainen polska

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Pohjalainen polska, for orchestra or strings

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Symphony no. 1

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Symphony no. 1

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Symphony no. 2, "Sinfonia intima"

Einojuhani Rautavaara's Symphony No. 2, Op. 8, originally entitled Sinfonia intima, is a symphony for orchestra written in 1957. It marks the composer's departure from his neoclassical first symphony towards atonality.

Symphony no. 3, op. 20

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Symphony No. 3 (Op. 20) in 1959–60. Despite much of the material being derived from a twelve-tone row (after studying in Switzerland under Wladimir Vogel), the work remains tonal in character throughout. In fact, the romantic gestures of the symphony, the majestic use of brass (including Wagner Tubas), as well as the use of German tempo markings, owes much to the symphonies of Anton Bruckner, and the symphony has been termed by critics as neo-Brucknerian in style.

Symphony no. 4, "Arabescata"

This is a list of compositions by Einojuhani Rautavaara. Rautavaara stopped using opus numbers for his new compositions during the 1970s. In addition, he revised several of his compositions many years after they were originally composed. Therefore, using opus numbers in connection with his works is not a necessity.

Symphony no. 5

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Symphony No. 8, subtitled The Journey, in 1999. The total playing time is approximately 28 minutes.

Symphony no. 6, for orchestra and synthesizer, "Vincentiana"
Symphony no. 7, "Angel of Light"

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).

Symphony no. 8, "The Journey"

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Symphony No. 8, subtitled The Journey, in 1999. The total playing time is approximately 28 minutes.

Violin Concerto

Einojuhani Rautavaara (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈei̯noˌjuhɑni ˈrɑu̯tɑˌʋɑːrɑ] ; 9 October 1928 – 27 July 2016) was a Finnish composer of classical music. Among the most notable Finnish composers since Jean Sibelius (1865–1957), Rautavaara wrote a great number of works spanning various styles. These include eight symphonies, nine operas and fifteen concertos, as well as numerous vocal and chamber works. Having written early works using 12-tone serial techniques, his later music may be described as neo-romantic and mystical. His major works include his first piano concerto (1969), Cantus Arcticus (1972) and his seventh symphony, Angel of Light (1994).