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  • Kaija Saariaho

  • Maan varjot (Earth's Shadows) (2013)

  • Chester Music Ltd (World)

Kaija Saariaho’s Maan Varjot was jointly commissioned by Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre National de Lyon, Southbank Centre and the Philharmonia Orchestra. The world premiere took place in Montreal on 29 May 2014, given by the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, with Olivier Latry (organ), conducted by Kent Nagano. The French premiere took place during June 2014, given by the Orchestre National de Lyon with Olivier Latry (organ). The UK premiere took place at the Southbank, London on 26 June 2014, given by the Philharmonia Orchestra with Olivier Latry (organ), conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.

  • 2(2afl)+pic.2+ca.2+Ebcl.2/4.2.3.1/timp.3perc/hp/str
  • organ
  • 15 min

Programme Note

Maan varjot is divided into three movements. The organ and orchestra are side-by-side as two rich and powerful "instruments" with several common factors which make it easy to create connections between them. But more than the common features, I am interested in the aspects which separate the instruments and give them their own particular identity. For example, the orchestra has a great flexibility which comes from the ability to create micro-tonality, glissandos, rich textures with instrumental noises or delicate multi-layered dynamics. The organ, on the other hand, has the ability to produce rich and very precise textures controlled by only one musician, as well as long sustained notes without the constraints of breathing or the length of a bow.

Unlike some other instruments, the organ doesn't need to fight to rise above the orchestra; it can do it any time, effortlessly. But I didn't want to create a duel of decibels, and I don't consider this piece an organ concerto. Rather, it is a work with a prominent solo organ part, some kind of a fruitful and inspiring companionship, in which two strong but civilised personalities can co-exist without having to fight too much for the place in the sun.

The Finnish title Maan varjot (Earth's shadows) was inspired by some lines in Shelley's ode to John Keats:
The One remains, the many change and pass;
Heaven's light forever shines, Earth's shadows fly;

I chose the title in memory of my father.

My relation to the organ can also explain the use of Finnish language: it was my instrument before I became a full time composition student. But regardless of my intimate relation and affection for it, I haven't written much music for organ. When I came back to it, I returned in my mind to the period when I used to play the organ as a student in Finland. Another important source of inspiration has been Olivier Latry who interprets the organ part.

Maan varjot was jointly commissioned by Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Orchestre National de Lyon, Southbank Centre and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Media

Scores

Preview the score

Features

  • Kaija Saariaho’s Poetic Montages
    • Kaija Saariaho’s Poetic Montages
    • From the very beginning of her career as a composer, Kaija Saariaho has turned to poetry as a material and inspiration for her music. The forms and logics of poetry have played a defining role in her output since then.

Reviews

“Mann varjot is a sophisticated example of Saariaho’s work; its shimmering textures and gliding harmonies seem to come from a galaxy far beyond our own, evoking a reel of cinematic images.”
Hannah Nepil, Financial Times
29th June 2014
“True to form, Saariaho avoided the idea of the guest instrument being a concertante soloist, and the relationship between organ and orchestra was complex throughout. The score is filled with her trademark subtleties and complexities, the textures often involving all of or most of the orchestra, but rarely loud.”
Gavin Dixon, Seen and Heard International.com
27th June 2014
“The orchestra’s tonal flexibility and its capacity of multi-layered nuance is set against the ability of the organ to produce rich, precisely defined textures and to sustain them indefinitely.”
Andrew Clements, The Guardian
27th June 2014
“In keeping with that title, there is indeed something cosmic and pure about her soundscapes.”
John Allison, Telegraph
27th June 2014
“Saariaho explores orchestral textures through micro-tonality, glissandos and exotic instrumentation that include marimbas, vibraphones, crotales and cymbals played with bows. Yet the orchestration never sounded cluttered, with organ and orchestra almost interleaved, the organ seeming to initiate an idea or unusual register only for it to be taken up and extended by various orchestral voices.”
Mark Pullinger, Bachtrack.com
27th June 2014
“Textures are intriguingly and imaginatively varied, the organ, with its almost orchestral resources, playing its part in this and only occasionally dominating proceedings.”
Alan Sanders, The Classical Source.com
26th June 2014

Discography

Présences - Kaija Saariaho

Présences - Kaija Saariaho
  • Label
    Radio France Éditions
  • Catalogue Number
    FRF072
  • Conductor
    Hannu Lintu / Olari Elts / Ernest Martinez-Izquierdo
  • Ensemble
    Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France / Orchestre National de France / Choeur de Radio France
  • Soloist
    Anssi Karttunen, cello; Olivier Latry, organ; Davóne Tines, baritone; Faustine de Monès, soprano
  • Released
    9th February 2024

Saint-Saëns - Saariaho - Moussa (Deluxe Edition)

Saint-Saëns - Saariaho - Moussa (Deluxe Edition)
  • Label
    Analekta
  • Catalogue Number
    B0161M8AM0
  • Conductor
    Kent Nagano
  • Ensemble
    Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
  • Soloist
    Olivier Latry
  • Released
    23rd October 2015

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