Rautavaara's Rasputin now on DVD video
(January 2006)
Ondine has issued Einojuhani Rautavaara's most recent opera, Rasputin, on DVD Video (ODV 4002) drawing glowing praise from Opera News:"…a genuine masterpiece… Rautavaara’s libretto is poetic and his music is a unique blend of tonality and modernist elements… Matti Salminen in the title role dominates the stage whenever he appears on it, demonstrating why this is one of the most important bass-baritone roles to be created within the past century."
Rautavaara has long been fascinated by the charismatic mysticism of the illiterate peasant turned court confidant, whose colourful life ended in poison, bullets and the ultimate destruction of the Imperial family. The composer was finally spurred on to create the opera by the recent publication of Edvard Radzinsky's book that includes the transcripts of police interrogations with Rasputin which "almost begged to be set as a libretto".
"The key word to the libretto is ambivalence; Rasputin was a mysterious peasant, a muzhik, who was deeply religious, a fervent Christian and ascetic, almost a prophet – but on the other hand the very incarnation of corruption and debauchery, a drunk, and if rumours are to be believed also the Tsarina's lover and counsellor whose advice ruined the entire country. However, it does not seem appropriate to create merely a realistic stage play, a re-enactment of history or a recreation of an episode. There must also be a presence of profound Russian mysticism, the 'wind from Siberia' which can be sensed in the existentialism of Dostoevsky or the dolorous pessimism of Tchaikovsky."
Rasputin will receive its German premiere in a new production in Lübeck on 3 February with performances running through to April.
Ondine has also just released Rautavaara’s Book of Visions on CD, featuring the Belgian National Orchestra conducted by Mikko Franck (ODE 1064-5). The work receives its UK premiere on a Royal Scottish National Orchestra tour under Stéphane Denève in April.
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