Credits:

Jukka-Pekka Saraste

Description:

Saariaho: Five Meditations from Love from Afar, Meditation on Water Lilies, Across the SeaJukka-Pekka Saraste (cond.) Finnish Radio Symphony OrchestraTapio Chamber ChoirPia Freund (S), Gabriel Suovanen (Br)This collection brings together three recent works by Kaija Saariaho, one of todays greatest composers, who has long since transcended any categorization as merely Nordic music.The Five Meditations from *Love from Afar* were reworked in 2002 from the opera of the same name (libretto by Aman Marf). The opera premiered at the 2000 Salzburg Festival under the baton of Kent Nagano and caused quite a stir. Set in the 12th century, the story follows a troubadour and a woman who fall in love without ever having met; though they finally meet, the poet dies. The fantastical atmosphere so characteristic of Saariaho is vividly brought to life.*Meditation on Water Lilies* is a work for string ense