I've been digging this 1985 opera about a 13th Century Finnish Bishop. The notes to this Ondine recording indicate that the background of the work is the clash of the prevailing pagan shamanist culture and the new X-tian stuff being brought in by conquerers from the West. This is reflected in Rautavaara's score, "where differing tonal systems, diatonic, synthetic-modal, dodecaphonic and free atonality all appear in parallel, overlapped and organically linked to one another." Very expertly, I'd add.
One somewhat more familiar work it reminds me of a bit is Stravinsky's "Threni". It's a wonderful and important work, I think.
Posted by walterhorn on April 11, 2003 8:43 PMI just wanted to add that another work that may be a useful point of reference for some listeners is Penderecki's "Devils of Loudon"--another great 20th Century opera.
Posted by: walto at April 12, 2003 3:25 PMWhat about "Aleksis Kivi"? is that a good one? it's at a store near my house for a good price.
Posted by: dbr at October 17, 2003 11:18 PMI wouldn't know, but I think this is the same disc I ordered last week from broinc. I have yet to see "Thomas" anywhere, but I've wanted to hear it since Walt put the word out.
Posted by: al at October 18, 2003 9:30 AMI believe that there are no more recordings of this opera being made.
Posted by: xand at July 24, 2005 3:15 PM.................................................. © 2003 - 2006 bagatellen ..................................................