Kalevi Aho(1949)

Kalevi Aho belongs among the «foremost contemporary composers» of Finland; his Concerto for Viola is one of the most convincing compositions of recent concert literature. It is conceived as the (middle) part of a concert program composed for the Lapland Chamber Orchestra. At the beginning is «The Book of Questions» (after P. Neruda) for Mezzosoprano and Orchestra; the 3rd part is the 14th Symphony «Rituals». The whole program has a duration of 79 minutes; thus it can be put on one CD (BIS-CD 1686). The Concerto (of course not intended for amateurs) contains yet much of interest for amateurs: Sound, elan, rhythm, also impressive parts in the lower registers! The Lamento for two Violas could possibly be accessible for laymen - but it's unobtainable.