Kaija Saariaho

Born

October 15, 1952 in Helsinki, Finland

Basic biography

Before starting studying music, Kaija Saariaho studied visual arts at the University of Industrial Arts in Helsinki. From 1976-1981 she studied composition with Paavo Heininen at the Sibelius Academy and from 1981-1982 with Brian Ferneyhough and Klaus Huber at the Musikhochschule in Freiburg. In 1982 she followed courses in computer music at Ircam in Paris, where she has been living and working since then.
Several of her compositions were awarded a.o. Stilleben (Prix Italia 1988, Ars Electronica prize 1989), Io (Ars Electronica prize 1989) and Lonh (The Nordic Music Prize 2000).

On her music

Sensitive, colourful, refreshing and modernist. All of these words might come up, listening to Kaija Saariaho's music. The titles of her pieces provoke strong associations, but the music never is a simplistic interpretation of it. The use of tape and live electronics is frequent and adds to the hyper-sensitive character of the music.
The first time Saariaho is active in the musical world, is her participation in the Korvat auki! (Ears open) society, a group of composers like Esa-Pekka Salonen, Magnus Lindberg and Jouni Kaipainen (and others), listening to, studying and promoting contemporary music. After writing some lyrical vocal works in the late 70-s, her focus soon moved from melody to tonal colour, harmony and detailed sound surfaces, full of pure tones, as well as noises. In the 90-s she has moved to a more powerful way of expression, with more abrupt shifts and melody reappearing in her music. Nevertheless the rich tonal colouring and the extreme sense of detail have stayed.

List of Works

1977 - Bruden. Songcycle for soprano, 2 flutes and 2 percussionists. 4 Parts: 1.Mitt liv, min död och mitt öde, 2.Lyckokatt, 3.Bruden, 4.Den sörjande trädgården. Text by Edith Södergran. (10').
1978 - Canvas. Flute. 3 Parts: 1.Tinguely, 2.Escher, 3.Duchamp. (5')
1979 - Aurora. Flugelhorn, trombone, percussion, piano, guitar. (3').
1979 - Jing. Soprano and cello. Text by Li Ching Chao (in Finnish). (8').
1979 - Cartolina per Siena. Tape. (3')
1979 - Nej och inte.Three songs for female quartet or choir. Text: Gunnar Björling. (5').
1979 - Suomenkielinen sekakuorkappale. Soprano, baritone and mixed choir. Text: collage in Finnish. (9').
1980 - Preludi - Tunnustus - Postludi. Soprano and prepared piano. Text by Mika Waltari (Finnish). (4').
1980 - Study for Life. Female voice, dancer, tape and lights. Text by T.S.Eliot (English). (18').
1980 - Yellows. Horn, percussion. (8').
1980 - Im Traume. Cello, piano. (10').
1981 - ... sah den Vögeln. Soprano, flute, oboe, cello, prepared piano and live electronics. Text: collage. (17').
1981 - Kolme preludia. Soprano and organ. Text from the Bible (in Finnish). (6').
1981 - Study II for Life. Tape. (12').
1982 - Adjö. Original title: Ju lägre solen. Revised in 1985. Soprano, flute, guitar. Text by Solveig von Schoultz (in Swedish). (10').
1982 - Du gick, flög. Soprano and piano. Text by Gunnar Björling (in Swedish). (4').
1982 - Laconisme de l'aile. Flute (9').
1982 - Vers le blanc. Tape. (15').
1983 - Three Interludes and other music to "Skotten i Helsingfors". Incidental music for tape. Text by Joakim Groth. (30').
1982-84 - Verblendungen. Orchestra (2111 alto saxophone/4111/00/1, piano, tape, strings (8-5-3-2)). (14')
1984 - Csokolom. Recording of scenic objects. (60').
1984 - Kollisionen. Composed with Jean-Baptiste Barrière. Percussion and electronics. Other version: 1986. (60').
1984-85 - Jardin Secret I. Tape. (10').
1985 - Suuri illusioni. Film music. (85').
1984-86 - Jardin Secret II. Harpsichord and tape. (11').
1985-86 - Lichtbogen. Flute, percussion, harp, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, live electronics. (16').
1986 - Il pleut. Soprano and piano. Text by Guillaume Apollinaire (in French). (2').
1986 - Collisions. Tape. Version of 1984 Kollisionen. (60').
1986-87 - Io. 2 Flutes, bass flute, 2 horns, trombone, tuba, 2 percussionists, harp, piano/celesta, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, tape, live electronics. (18').
1987 - Nymphea (Jardin Secret III). String quartet and live electronics. (20').
1987 - Piipää. Composed with Jean-Baptiste Barrière. Soprano, tenor, tape, live electronics. Text by Jouni Tommola. (60').
1987-88 - Stilleben. Tape (radiophonic work). Text: collage of Franz Kafka, Paul Eluard and Wassily Kandinsky. (22').
1988 - From the Grammar of Dreams. Soprano and mezzo-soprano. Text by Sylvia Plath (in English). (10').
1988 - Grammaire des rêves. Soprano and alto voices, 2 flutes, harp, viola, cello. Text by Paul Eluard (in French). (11').
1988 - Petals. Cello with optional live electronics. (8').
1989-90 - Du cristal. Orchestra (4342/4221/05/1, piano/synthesizer, strings (16-14-12-10-8)). (18')
1990 - ...à la fumée. Alto flute and cello with live electronics and symphony orchestra (4342 alto saxophone/4331/05/1, piano/synthesizer, strings (16-14-12-10-8)). (18')
1990 - Fanfaari. Chamber orchestra (2220/2211/02). (1').
1990 - Oi kuu. Bass clarinet, cello and optional electronics. Other version: 1993. (6').
1991 - Maa, ballet music in seven scenes. Flute, harpsichord/keyboard, percussion, harp, violin, viola, cello and live electronics. Scenes: 1.Journey, 2.Gates, 3.Door (... de la terre), 4.Forest, 5.Windows, 6.Fall, 7.Phoenix (Aer). (90')
1991 - Gates. Flute, harpsichord, cello and live electronics. (Part 2 of Maa). (12').
1991 - ...de la terre. Solo violin and live electronics. (Part 3 of Maa). (15').
1991 - Aer. Flute, harpsichord/keyboard, percussion, harp, violin, viola, cello, live electronics . (Part 7 of Maa). (17').
1991 - Jingle "Suomi 75 vuotta". Tape. (11 seconds).
1991 - Monkey Fingers, Velvet Hand. Piano. (5').
1991 - Nuits, adieux. Vocal quartet (SATB) and live electronics. Text by Jacques Roubaud and Honoré de Balzac. Other version: 1996. (10').
1991 - Valon Ihme. Film music. (32').
1992 - Amers. Solo cello and piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, 2 horns, 2 percussionists, harp, 2 keyboards/piano, live electronics. (20').
1992 - Caliban's Dream. Solo baritone and clarinet, mandolin, guitar, harp, double bass. Text by William Shakespeare (in English). Other version: 1995. (3').
1992 - Jingle for the Centre Georges Pompidou. Tape. (5 seconds).
1992 - NoaNoa, Fragrant. Flute and electronics. (10').
1993 - Etant donné le bleu. Film music, composed with Jean-Baptiste Barrière. (3').
1993 - La Dame à la licorne. Exhibition with paintings by Raija Malka and sound installation by Saariaho. (12').
1993 - Oi kuu. Version of the 1990 original for bass flute, cello and optional electronics. (6').
1993 - Solar. Flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, 2 percussionists, harp, piano/sampler, synthesizer, violin, viola, double bass. (18').
1992-94 - Près. Cello and electronics. (18').
1993-94- Trois rivières. 4 Percussionists. (16').
1994 - Graal théâtre. Solo violin and orchestra (2232/4221/04, harp, piano, strings (12-10-8-6-4). Two parts: 1.Delicato, 2.Impetuoso. Other version: 1997. (30').
1994 - Nocturne, In Memory of Witold Lutoslawski. Violin. (6').
1993-95 - Six Japanese Gardens. Percussion and electronics. (10').
1994-95 - Folia. Double bass and optional electronics. (13').
1995 - Caliban's Dream. Bass baritone and alto flute, harpsichord and cello. 2nd version of the 1992 original. Text by William Shakespeare (in English). (3').
1995 - Château de l'âme. Solo soprano, 8 female voices and orchestra (2222/4221/04/1, piano, strings (recommended 12-10-8-6-5). Text: ancient Indian and Egyptian poetry (in French). Five parts: 1.La liane, 2.A la terre, 3.La liane, 4.Pour repousser l'esprit, 5.Les formules. (20').
1991-96 - Cendres. Flute, harp, viola (9'). Second version composed in 1998.
1996 - Die Aussicht. Soprano, flute, violin, cello, guitar. Text by Friedrich Hölderlin (in German). Other versions: 1998 and 1999. (3').
1996 - Lonh. Soprano and electronics. Text by Jaufré Rudel (in old Provençal). (16').
1996 - New Gates. Flute, harp and viola. Adaptation of the movement Gates from Maa (1991). (13').
1996 - Nuits, adieux. Vocal quartet (SATB) and mixed choir. Text by Jacques Roubaud and Honoré de Balzac. Version of 1991 original. (10').
1996 - Spins and Spells. Cello. (7').
1997 - Graal théâtre. Version of 1994 original for solo violin and chamber orchestra (flute (+piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, trumpet, trombone, 2 percussionists, harp, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass. Two parts: 1.Delicato, 2.Impetuoso. (30').
1997 - Miranda's Lament. Soprano, clarinet, harp, violin, double bass. Text by William Shakespeare (in English). Other version: 1999. (5')
1997 - Mirrors, Music for the CD-ROM Prisma.Flute, cello. See also: 1999 - Prisma (4').
1997 - Pilvimusiikkia. Electro-acoustic instalation with variable duration.
1998 - Cendres. Alto flute, cello, piano. (10'). Original version composed in 1991-96.
1998 - Couleurs du vent. Alto flute. (11').
1998 - Die Aussicht. Soprano, flute, cello, piano. Text by Friedrich Hölderlin (in German). 2nd version of 1996 original. (3').
1998 - Forty Heartbeats. Chamber Orchestra (1111/2111/12/1, piano, strings). (3').
1998 - Liisan taikahuilu. Flute. (3').
1998 - Neiges. 8 Cellos. Five parts: 1.Nuages de neige, 2.Etoiles de neige, 3.Etoile de neige 2, 4.Aiguilles de glace, 5.Fleurs de neige. (15').
1993-99 - La Dame à la licorne. Electro-acoustic work. (42').
1997-99 - Cloud Music . Electro-acoustic work. (31'45").
1998-99 - Oltra Mar, Seven Preludes for the New Millennium. Mixed choir and orchestra (4444/4441/13/1, piano, strings). Various texts. Seven parts: I.Départ, II.Amour, III.Vagues, IV.Temps, V.Souvenir de vagues, VI. Mort (in memory of Gérard Grisey), VII.Arrivée. (15').
1999 - Ciel etoilé. Double bass and percussionist. (5').
1999 - Die Aussicht. Soprano, flute, harp, cello. Text by Friedrich Hölderlin (in German). 3rd version of 1996 original. (3').
1999 - Miranda's Lament. Soprano, flute, harp, viola, cello. Text by William Shakespeare (in English). Version of 1997 original. (5')
1999 - Prisma. Electronic music for the CD-ROM Prisma. (19').
1999 - Quatre petits messages, Music for the stage work Unien kieliopista (From the Grammar of Dreams). 2 Sopranos, flute, harp. (8').
1999-2000 - L'amour de loin, opera in five acts, premiere on august 15, 2000
2000 - Sept Papillons. cello. (10')
2000 - Aile du Songe. Concerto for Flute and Orchestra. I Aérienne Prélude - Jardin des oiseaux - D'autres rives - II Terrestre Oiseau dansant - L'oiseau, un satellite infime (21')
2000 - Message pour Gérard. mezzosoprano, flute, harp, percussion (2 players), violin, viola, cello, double bass (4')
2000 - Ariel's Hail. soprano, flute and harp (4')
2000-01 - Trois rivières: Delta. percussion (1 player) and electronics (16')
2001 - Song for Betty, Orchestra: 4333/4231/14/1, piano, strings. arrangement of the last mvt. of L'Amour de loin (5')
2001 - Nymphae Reflection. string orchestra (min. 7-6-6-4-2) (22')
2001 - Cinq reflets de l'Amour de loin. solo soprano, solo baritone and orchestra: 4333/4231/14/1, piano (keyboard), strings. Text by Amin Maalouf. I Outremer (Act 2, Tableaux 1); II Songe (Act 4, Tableaux 2); III Amour de loin (Act 2, Tableaux 2); IV Si la mort pouvait attendre (Act 5, Tableaux 2); V Vers toi qui es si loin (Act 5, Tableaux 4) (30')
2001 - Iltarukous. (Evening Prayer). soprano and piano. Text by Eino Leino (in Finnish)
2001 - Tag des Jahrs. mixed choir and electronics. The electronic part realized at the Civitella Ranieri Centre, Italy with Jean-Baptiste Barrière. Text: Friedrich Hölderlin (in German) (15')
2001 - Überzeugung. 3 female voices/female choir, violin, cello, crotale (played by one of the singers). Text: Friedrich Hölderlin (in German) (2')
2002 - Orion. orchestra: 4444/6431/24/1, piano, strings:14-12-10-8-6 (25')
2002 - Prospero's Vision. soprano and violin. Text from Siddur shim Shalom (translation from Hebrew into English by rabbi Jules Harlow)
2002 - Prospero's Vision. baritone, violin, clarinet, harp, double bass. Text from the Tempest by William Shakespeare (in English)
2002 - Quatre instants. soprano and piano. Text by Amin Maalouf (in French). 1. Attente; 2. Douleur; 3. Parfum de l'instant; 4. Résonances
in progress - Adriana Mater. Opera. Premiere in spring 2006. Libretto: Amin Maalouf

Recordings

Verblendungen, Lichtbogen, Io, Stilleben, Jardin Secret II, Petals on Finlandia 3984-23407-2
Verblendungen, Lichtbogen, Io, Stilleben on Finlandia FACD 374
Jardin Secret II on Finlandia FACD 357
Petals on Finlandia 4509-95767-2, Neuma 450-73 and Albedo ALBCD 013
Lichtbogen on Finlandia FACD 361
Maa on Ondine ODE 791-2
Du cristal, ...à la fumée, Nymphea (Jardin Secret III) on Ondine ODE 804-2
Lonh, Près, NoaNoa, Six Japanese Gardens on Ondine ODE 906-2
Grammaire des rêves, From the Grammar of Dreams, Il Pleut, Adjö, Die Aussicht, Caliban's Dream, Miranda's Lament, Preludi - Tunnustus - Postludi and Du gick, flög on Ondine ODE 958-2
Graal Theâtre, Solar, Lichtbogen on Ondine ODE 997-2
NoaNoa on Neuma 450-87
Laconisme de l'aile on Danacord DACOCD 423 and on BIS CD 689
Nymphea (Jardin Secret III) on Montaigne 782033
Jardin Secret I, Laconisme de l'aile, NoaNoa, ...sah den Vögeln, Verblendungen on BIS CD 307
Spins and Spells, Près, Petals on Petal 001
La Dame à la Licorne, Cloud Music on Petal 003
Nuits, adieux on Musique Française D'Aujourd'hui MFA 216030
Château de l'âme, Graal théâtre, Amers on Sony Music SK 60817
New Gates, Solar, Garmmaire des Rêves, Cendres (1991-96) on Mode 91
Près on IRCAM (Ircam les années 90)
Laconisme de l'aile, environmental music for poems by Saint-John Perse, L'Aile du songe on Montaigne Naïve MO 782154

Links

MIC Finland (excellent site with articles, biography, extended worklist, discography etc.).
The information on the MIC site was the major source for the information on my own site
Kaija Saariaho's personal website (biography, extended worklist, discography and links page)
IRCAM (biography, limited worklist, detailed descriptions of several works, some links)
Kalvos & Damian (Short biography, download of part from Maa and a talk by Saariaho, info on PRISMA)
Petals (info on Petals organisation and sale of CD's/CD-ROM (Prisma))
Schirmer (Biography, links)
Gaudeamus (Article on Nymphea, Jardin Secret I, Caliban's Dream and other works)
Chester Music
Virtual Finland

Any additions or comments?

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