Einojuhani Rautavaara: Summer Thoughts - works for violin & piano (Ondine Audio CD)

Paavali Jumppanen, piano
Pekka Kuusisto, violin


This new recording features the complete works for violin and piano by Einojuhani Rautaavara (b. 1928), including many world premières.

The performers are two of the most fascinating talents from Finland who are know for a fresh approach: violinist Pekka Kuusisto ("the very embodiment of joyful music-making" - The Toronto Star), who has made numerous praised recordings for Ondine; and pianist Paavali Jumppanen ("immense power and an extraordinary range of colours" - The New York Times), who has recorded, for Deutsche Grammophon, Pierre Boulez's complete Piano Sonatas to oustanding press acclaim.

This CD also includes Rautavaara's opus 1, the piano suite Pelimannit (The Fiddlers), which is based on traditional polska tunes for the fiddle. Following Pekka Kuusisto's concept, this recording for the first time presents the original violin tunes, alternating with the respective movements from Rautavaara's piano suite.