Kalevi AHO (b. 1949)
Three Interludes for Organ (1993) [17:45]
Alles Vergängliche, Symphony for Organ (2007) [51:38]
Jan Lehtola (organ)
rec. October 2010, S:t Johannes kyrka, Malmö, Sweden
BIS BIS-SACD-1946 [70:12]
I have been mightily impressed by much of Kalevi Aho’s work via BIS
recordings, including concertos for unusual instruments (see review).
An excellent overview of these releases by Dan Morgan can be found here.
Massive works for organ can be something of a mixed blessing, but with such
a track record this has to be worth taking a look at. The Three Interludes
followed on from Aho’s Eighth Symphony, and these pieces are derived
from the interludes in this symphony, which features the organ as a solo instrument.
The first two interludes are certainly display pieces, as the composer describes,
with massive sonorities growing out of exploratory counterpoint in the opening
of Interlude I, and the second developing an even more orchestral sound,
saving its fff volume for the approach to a climactic C major chord
followed by a ruminative postlude. Interlude III is the most organ-like
in its massive chord progressions, but the centre of the piece aims to make
time stand still, its material unfolding over a 5-minute long sustained quiet
B major chord, the notes held down by an assistant organist. This luminous
sonority was suggested by the endless blue-tinged June light experienced by
the composer in the Arctic.
The Symphony for Organ was written in response to a suggestion by the
organist on this recording, Jan Lehtola, again after a performance of the
Eighth Symphony. Acknowledging the heritage of Widor and Vierne when it comes
to organ symphonies, Aho refers rather to orchestral symphonies as his model
in this work, the development of the musical material having direct relationships,
and a final synthesis of the entire journey appearing as a conclusion. The
subtitle Alles Vergängliche, ‘All that is Perishable’,
comes from Goethe’s Faust, and is an indicator of the serious
intent of the work.
This is a huge piece demanding a full cathedral or concert-hall organ, and
while the challenge to the listener may be noted I think a word for the organist
has to be put in as well - I’m sure any performer of this piece could
be wrung out and left to recover for at least a week after such a tremendous
effort. The music moves and develops slowly in the first of four movements,
which is a Fantasia giving the impression of improvisatory thematic
freedom. This moves directly into Fugue I, the first of two
and a double fugue of magnificent inventiveness. Contrapuntal clarity and
intellectual rigour give way to an Adagio which forms the central axis
of the work, rising as it does to a climax halfway through its 16 minute span,
and even more overwhelmingly toward the conclusion of the movement.
Where to go from here? I hear you ask. Fugue II is another double fugue,
but with contrasting rhythmic quirks which lead the ear into refreshingly
intriguing regions. This ultimately combines with the themes of Fugue I
to make a quadruple fugue, so I think a visit to the library to have a look
at the score is in order for us composers. The Toccata nature of the
material as it develops allows material from the other movements to become
combined with all this counterpoint, but it might take a couple of listening
sessions to tune your memory in to identify some of these. This is music which
has a weight and span which takes a good deal of concentration to appreciate
fully, but a little effort reaps its rewards, and Aho rewards us with a final
coda of repose and supplication.
This is an excellent performance and recording, which places us at a realistic
distance from the instrument and allowing for plenty of acoustic space while
keeping enough detail to be able to follow most of the musical arguments.
It must be a challenge for the engineers to strike this balance, but the organ
sound - a new instrument from 2008 - is warmly expressive and rich, the SACD
spread enhancing its range and colours as well as placing us in an ideal hot-seat.
Fans of Kalevi Aho will want to explore this release but I have to admit,
it is something of a tough cookie if you are not so much a fan of the organ.
Aho’s musical language is full of subtlety and interest and there are
some magical moments, but in this case there is also a feeling of uncompromising
expressionism and rising to the technical demands of creating large-scale
work for a single instrument. In other words, this is less likely to be something
you will bring out on a regular basis, but it most certainly is a handsome
addition to the Aho catalogue.
Dominy Clements
A handsome addition to the Aho catalogue, but an uncompromising and challenging
one.
Support
us financially by purchasing this disc from: |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|