This page lists all recordings of Symphony No. 7 'Angel of Light', by Einojuhani Rautavaara (b.1928) on CD & download (MP3 & FLAC). Generally, more recent releases are listed first, but with priority given to those that are in stock. |
All recordingsPrices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | 2010 Ondine Catalogue and CD
Original world premiere recordings made in the presence of the composer This new international catalogue includes all of Ondine’s recordings that are available for physical purchase at September 2010. Drawing upon some of the most successful recordings in Ondine’s 25 years of history, the enclosed CD pays tribute to legendary Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara with two major orchestral masterpieces, recorded in his presence and performed by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. Both composer and orchestra have been in a privileged partnership with the label since its very beginnings. Leif Segerstam’s recording of Angel of Light (Symphony No. 7) became an international best-seller and spurred Rautavaara to considerable international fame, culminating in a GRAMMY nomination and a Cannes Classical Award as ‘Best Disc of Music by a Living Composer’. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Rautavaara - Symphony No. 7
“The conducting of Hannu Koivula captures the mysticism of the musical language, while he also has a real grip on the structure.” MusicWeb International | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Rautavaara - Angel of Light
“The BIS recording is excellent, with state-of-the-art sound, and Vanska's performance has impressive power and atmosphere; he keeps the music moving and casts a strong spell.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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Cannes Classical Award Winner 1997 “The Seventh Symphony's opening Tranquillo evokes a calm though powerful atmosphere, with many Sibelian points of reference, especially in recognisable echoes of the Largo fourth movement from Sibelius's Fourth Symphony, whereas the closing Pesante-cantabile is more in line with the symphonic world of Hovhaness.
The Angel idea originates in a series of works (Angels and Visitations and Angel of Dusk, for instance), the reference being to 'an archetype, one of mankind's oldest traditions and perennial companions'.
This Jungian axis is reflected in monolithic chords, ethereal harmonic computations (invariably broad and high-reaching) and an unselfconscious mode of musical development.
Readers schooled in the more contemplative works of Górecki, Pärt and Tavener will likely respond to this spatially generous essay, though Rautavaara's language is more a celebration of nature than any specific religious ritual.
Comparisons with the Annunciations (for organ, brass quintet, wind orchestra and percussion) find the earlier work far harsher in tone, much more demanding technically (it calls for a formidable organ virtuoso) and more radical in its musical language. The style ranges from the primeval drone that opens the work through canon, 'bird forest' activity and the novel effect of having the 'notes of a dense chord weirdly circulating in the room' when the organ motor is switched off. Kari Jussila rises to the various challenges with what sounds like genuine enthusiasm (his fast fingerwork is amazing) while Leif Segerstam and his orchestra exploit the tonal drama of both works.
The recordings are warm and spacious.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Rautavaara - The 8 SymphoniesDigital recordings, previously released
Digibox with 'LIMITED EDITION' sticker, 4 CDs, 16p booklet + 16p extra insert (Rautavaara back catalogue) Einojuhani Rautavaara may well be the most popular symphonist alive today. On the occasion of his 80th anniversary, Ondine pays homage to its longtime ‘house composer’ by releasing the first-ever edition of the complete eight symphonies, in a special box set. Written between 1955 and 1999, the eight symphonies form a central pillar in Rautavaara's extensive artistic output and showcase the many stylistic periods in his fruitful career.They are hauntingly accessible to the listener and have proven wide audience appeal; the Seventh Symphony, ‘Angel of Light' (1994), became a best-seller and spurred Rautavaara to considerable international fame (including a Grammy nomination), leading The Philadelphia Orchestra to commission the Eighth Symphony, 'The Journey' (1999), for their centenary celebrations. These recordings have all been released by Ondine to international popular and critical acclaim, and were all produced in close collaboration with the composer. Elegant packaging, with the use of metallic colour, underlines the exclusivity of this limited edition, in combination with an attractive price. | | | (also available to download from $24.00) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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