*14 October 1952 in Helsinki

"...the music we write [...] is the sum of our perceptions and experiences…."
(in Klaus Jungheinrich: "Woher? Wohin? Die Komponistin Kaija Saariaho"; Ed. Schott, 2007/1015).

Kaija Saariaho is an important voice in the world of contemporary music. She has written only a few works for piano solo, but there are numerous Lieder and chamber music compositions with piano. Her  intensive, passionate and colourful five-movement trio for viola, violoncello and piano entitled "Je sens un deuxième coeur" deserves special mention.

Enjoy the PIANOVERSAL listenig tips with piano music by Kaija Saariaho!

 PIANOVERSAL listening tips: Kaija Saariaho

Ballade (2005)
youtube_saariaho_ballade
Daria Iossifova - piano

Prélude (2007)
youtube_Saariaho_Prelude
Éva Polgár - piano


Monkey fingers, velvet hand (1991)
youtube_saariaho_mokeyfingers_velvethand
Susanne Achilles - piano

"Light and Matter" (piano trio) (2014)
youtube_Saariaho_LightandMatter
A very lively and committed live performance by the Longleash Trio : Pala Garcia - violin, John Popham - cello, Renate Rohlfing - piano

Leinolaulut (soprano & piano) (2007)
youtube_saariaho_leinolalut
Patricia Auchterlonie - soprano & Clare Simmonds - piano
I. Sua Katselen (Looking at You) II. Sydän (Heart) III. Rauha (Rest) IV. Iltarukous (Evening Prayer)
Live recording, Milton Court Concert Hall, 1 June 2016

Je sens un deuxième coeur (2003)
Gloria Cheng, piano, Eric Byers violoncello, Jonathan Moerschel, viola
recording: Harmonia Mundi USA
Streaming:
Spotify: spotify_Saariaho_je_sens_un_deuxieme_coeur
AppleMusic: applemusic_Saariaho_je_sens_un_deuxieme_coeur

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Kaija Saariaho: composer of the week No. 21 / Junei 2018