*October 14, 1952 Helsinki

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

Kaija Saariaho is an important voice in contemporary music. For piano, she wrote some solo works, plus numerous compositions for voice and piano and piano chamber music. Particularly noteworthy is her five-movement intense, passionate and colorful trio for viola, cello and piano titled "Je sens un deuxième coeur".
 

Check out the PIANOVERSAL listening tips with keyboard 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, June 1, 2016

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

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Kaija Saariaho: Composer of the Week No. 21 / June 2018