Symphony No. 8 (Rautavaara)

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote his Symphony No. 8, subtitled The Journey, in 1999. The total playing time is approximately 28 minutes.

Movements edit

  1. Adagio assai - Andante assai
  2. Feroce -
  3. Tranquillo
  4. Con grandezza - Sciolto - Tempo I

Instrumentation edit

Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets in B flat, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns in F, 4 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, vibraphone, xylophone, glockenspiel, tubular bells, 4 tom-toms, cymbal (suspended), gong (30"), 3 tam-tams, 2 harps, strings.

Premiere edit

Philadelphia Orchestra / Wolfgang Sawallisch, April 27, 2000

Recordings edit

Rautavaara's symphony has been recorded four times since 1999.

Orchestra Conductor Record Company Year of Recording Format
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra Leif Segerstam Ondine Records 2001 CD
Lahti Symphony Orchestra Osmo Vänskä BIS Records 2004 CD
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Pietari Inkinen Naxos Records 2006 CD
Philadelphia Orchestra Wolfgang Sawallisch RM Associates / Image Entertainment (Region 1) 2000 (First European Performance in Kölner Philharmonie) DVD