Seppo Pohjola's Symphones 1 and 2 now on Alba: http://www.alba.fi/kauppa/tuotteet/4954 (http://www.alba.fi/kauppa/tuotteet/4954)
These works are both quite beautiful.
Can you give any more details - or offer a comparison, please?
For me, very much tied to mysticism and nature. Think Sibelius' 4th plus 90 years. Non-serial and quite moving. Built on motifs rather than sing-song melodies. Superbly orchestrated. No. 3 will premiere on May 25.
Any connection with, say, Rautavaara (e.g. Symphony 7)?
More conflict than Rautavaara. Not quite as "conservative". Shifting emotions and more troubling but not serial at all.
I once went to a portrait concert of the music of Seppo Pohjola. Loads of other Finnish composers were there, wearing ill-fitting suits and carrying briefcases, looking rather like insurance salesmen. I have avoided his music since. I found it rather safe, self-conscious and academic. Maybe the symphonies are better.
Isokani, I literally cannot express how completely I disagree with your assessment.
Quote from: Tapiola on Wednesday 30 May 2012, 06:50
Isokani, I literally cannot express how completely I disagree with your assessment.
Well, you literally
have done so!