This recording presents two recent concertos by Kalevi Aho, one of Finland’s foremost contemporary composers. The author of a body of work as significant as it is diverse, Aho is known for his close collaborations with exceptional soloists, for whom he writes music that highlights their artistry, inventiveness, and individual character.
The Concerto for Alto Flute and Strings features an instrument with a soft, mellow tone—well suited to a solo role alongside a string orchestra. The piece unfolds in six continuous movements, and soloist Sharon Bezaly occasionally switches to the bass flute, adding a mystical dimension to the sound world. The St. Michel Strings, under the direction of Erkki Lasonpalo, contribute to the work’s mysterious atmosphere, rich with lyrical and dramatic episodes.
The Double Concerto for Viola, Percussion and Orchestra, subtitled Moonlight Concerto, was written at the request of Berlin-based musicians Hiyoli Togawa (viola) and Alexej Gerassimez (percussion). In this work, we are drawn into a soundscape inspired by Japanese musical tradition, with echoes of the thousand-year-old ritualistic gagaku style. The percussion part features a range of unusual instruments not typically heard in orchestral concerts, including the moon gong, waterphone, hang drum, and nine Thai gongs. The Lahti Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anja Bihlmaier, offers vivid orchestral support, adding color and depth to the sonic landscape.
