Kaija Saariaho: Circle Map, Graal théâtre, Vers toi qui es si loin & Neiges Peter Herresthal, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra & Clément Mao-Takac

• Kaija Saariaho (b. 1952):
• 1Vers toi qui es si loin06:40
• Circle Map:
• 2Circle Map: I. Morning Wind04:35
• 3Circle Map: II. Walls Closing04:13
• 4Circle Map: III. Circles05:39
• 5Circle Map: IV. Days Are Sieves04:41
• 6Circle Map: V. Dialogue06:11
• 7Circle Map: VI. Day and Night Music04:49
• Neiges (Version for 12 Cellos):
• 8Neiges (Version for 12 Cellos): I. Nuages de neige05:35
• 9Neiges (Version for 12 Cellos): II. Étoile de neige I01:32
• 10Neiges (Version for 12 Cellos): III. Étoile de neige II02:43
• 11Neiges (Version for 12 Cellos): IV. Aiguilles de glace04:46
• 12Neiges (Version for 12 Cellos): V. Fleurs de neige03:50
• Graal théâtre (Version for Violin & Orchestra):
• 13Graal théâtre (Version for Violin & Orchestra): I. —18:56
• 14Graal théâtre (Version for Violin & Orchestra): II. —11:55
• Total Runtime01:26:05

Info for Kaija Saariaho: Circle Map, Graal théâtre, Vers toi qui es si loin & Neiges

Several of Kaija Saariaho’s works are named after natural phenomena that serve as a starting point to her compositional process. Composed in 1998, Neiges was inspired by various qualities of snow and explores instrumental languages and colors similar to those found in her earlier works. On the present album the piece is heard in its never-before recorded version for twelve cellos, performed by the cellists of the Oslo Philharmonic. Another source of inspiration has been medieval literature, which formed a point of departure for Graal Théâtre, the first concerto Saariaho wrote, as well as for the recent Vers toi qui es si loin (2018). Recorded for the first time here, the piece is a transcription, made for the violinist Peter Herresthal, of an aria from the opera L’Amour de loin. These two works for violin and orchestra bookend this amply filled disc, and frame Circle Map, a work in six movements for large orchestra. Permeating the work are six short poems by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, providing inspiration through their essence and vivid imagery, but also part of the musical material by way of a recording of them recited in Persian. This recording forms the raw material for the electronics included in the work, but also for much of the writing for the orchestra, for instance in terms of pitches and intonations. All four works are conducted by Clément Mao Takacs, who has collaborated extensively with Kaija Saariaho and conducted her music across Europe and in the U.S.A.

Peter Herresthal, violin
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Clément Mao-Takacs, conductor

Peter Herresthal
is recognised as a brilliant and inspired interpreter of contemporary violin music, strongly associated both in concert and recordings with concertos by composers including Per Nørgård, Arne Nordheim, Henri Dutilleux, Thomas Adès, Olav Anton Thommessen, Henrik Hellstenius and Jon Øivind Ness. Peter has appeared with orchestras and ensembles including the Vienna Radio Symphony, Melbourne Symphony, Oslo Philharmonic, Stockholm Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Remix Ensemble, Tapiola Chamber Orchestra,Stavanger Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica de Navarra, Helsingborg Symphony, Oslo Sinfonietta, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony, and Bit20, with conductors including Andrew Manze, Thomas Adès, Anu Tali and Sakari Oramo.

Peter has given the Austrian, Norwegian, Spanish and Australian premieres of the Thomas Adès violin concerto 'Concentric Paths', the latter conducted by the composer at the 2010 Melbourne Festival. Festival appearances have included the Bergen Festival (where Peter currently curates an annual series), Risor Chamber Music Festival, MAGMA2002 Berlin; Schleswig-Holstein and Mechelburg-Vorpommern.

Peter has recorded a number of CDs for BIS and Simax/Aurora including prize-winning discs of Nordheim and Ness. His 2012 Nørgård CD was nominated for a Gramophone Award and Editors Choice in The Strad and International Record Review. In 2013/14 Peter will record the violin concerto by Thomas Adès and premiere Ades new cadenza for the Ligeti concerto with conductor Andrew Manze.

Peter is a Professor at the Oslo Academy and visiting Professor at Royal College of Music in London.

He performs on a GB Guadagnini from Milan 1753.

Clément Mao-Takacs
is one of the rising star of the new generation of conductors. After his studies, he worked at the Roma Opera Hou- se (2003-2008). He led the Camera Strumentale ‘Città di Pratto’, the Wind Ensemble of the CNSMDP, the Moonwaves Ensemble, the Festival Orchestra of Sofia, the Aquilon Ensemble and the Initium Ensemble. In 2012, he created Secession Orchestra, an innovative elite ensem- ble. His extensive knowledge of styles and repertoires has led him to conduct works ranging from symphonies to more lyrical pieces, from classicism to the 21st century, with a mastery of technique and interpre- tation that is widely acknowledged and appreciated in both classical and contemporary music. Being a relentless activist in the diffusion of modern and contemporary music, he is the dedicatee and first performer of several pieces by Bargielski, Ballereau, Komives, Feldman, Swensson, Letouvet, Adams, Saariaho, Motsch... Recently, he has conducted the world premiere of La Passion de Simone (chamber version) by Kaija Saa- riaho, in various festivals: Melos-Ethos (Slovakia), Codes (Poland), and Saint-Denis (France). He graduated from Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse (Paris) and Accademia Chigiana (Siena). In 2008, he was awarded the Del Duca Foundation’s ‘Rising Star’ (award by the Institut de France – Académie des Beaux-Arts); that same year, he was laureate of the Festspiele of Bayreuth. In 2013, he was the first conduc- tor to become laureate of the Cziffra Foundation. Clément Mao-Takacs also pursues a career as a composer and solo and chamber pianist.

Booklet for Kaija Saariaho: Circle Map, Graal théâtre, Vers toi qui es si loin & Neiges