The Paul Sacher Foundation, Basel has announced the acquisition of The Kaija Saariaho Collection. Founded in 1973 the foundation developed into a highly recognised international research centre for the music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, with some hundred estates and collections from leading composers and performers such as Igor Stravinsky, Edgar Varèse, Witold Lutoslawski, Györgi Ligeti, Luciano Berio and Hans Werner Henze .
The acquisition of the manuscripts was made possible by a generous private sponsorship and they are now available to music scholars, effective immediately. The Kaija Saariaho Collection also includes correspondence, programme booklets and reviews and will soon be augmented with sound recordings and electronic data.
ORATORIO
La Passion de Simone
On November 14 La Passion de Simone will be performed at La Comédie de Clermont-Ferrand in France. Clément Mao-Takacs conducts the Secession Orchestra with the soprano Karen Vourc’h.
More details…
OPERA
L’Amour de loin
A new production of L’Amour de loin will be staged at Landestheater Linz on March 28 2015, followed by ten more performances conducted by Kaspar de Roo. Performances run until June 29.
Daniela Kurz has quickly established herself as one of the most promising contemporary choreographers branching into opera with great success. She has combined the role of stage director, stage and costume designer with great inspiration in many projects and will do so for which will be premiered in the presence of the composer.
The opera will also be presented in Japan at Tokyo Opera City Hall on May 28 2015. Ernest Martinez-Izquierdo will conduct the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.
Émilie
The Finnish premiere of Émilie will be staged at Finnish National Opera in Helsinki on April 2, 6 and 9 2015. Directed by Marianne Weems, André de Ridder will conduct and the soprano role of Émilie will be played by Camilla Nylund.
BALLET
Brahms 1.- Reflection
On February 21 2015 ‘Brahms 1.- Reflection’, a new choreography by Mauro de Candia will use the music of Brahms’ Symphony No 1 and Nymphéa Reflection by Saariaho. The ballet explores the theme of evening; the mirroring of the past in the present, the overlapping of history with today and the gathering of memories. The music will be performed by the Osnabrücker Symphoniker conducted by Andreas Hotz at Theater Osnabrück.
WORLD PREMIERE
True Fire
The world premiere of True Fire for baritone and orchestra will take place on May 14, 2015 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles with three further performances on May 15, 16, 17. The song cycle will be performed by Gerald Finley with The Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.
Music & Literature No 5
The Journal, ‘Music & Literature’, features Saariaho. Included in the 140-page section of this its fifth issue is an expansive portfolio of her writings on music and that of her collaborators, including internationally renowned writers, conductors, stage directors, musicians, and other artists.
The launch of this issue will take place on November 20 in New York City at Scandinavia House, in collaboration with the Finnish Embassy NY and the Norwegian Consulate NY. Saariaho and her soloists will be the guests of honour for a night of chamber music.
