Passacaglia on a theme of Rautavaara

I discovered the work of Einojuhani Rautavaara through anecdotes in my unfolding lifelong obsession with the work of Jean Sibelius; Rautavaara was perhaps the only high-profile composer to receive Sibelius’ personal recommendation after entering the musical ‘silence’ at the end of his [J.S.’s] life. That aside, my admiration for Rautavaara blossomed in earnest– it is hard not to find oneself enraptured in the eclecticism of his work and emergent uncompromising individuality. Annunciations, concerto for organ and brass quintet with wind ensemble (1977), is a work which I only discovered more recently, but which has perhaps spoken to me the most deeply and directly. It was his shimmering, ever-shifting textures and lush tertian-yet-not-exactly-functional harmony, crowned by one noteworthy theme that planted the need in my mind for a composed response.

Passacaglia on a theme of Rautavaara began as that. Through its working out, it has equally become a reflection on (more generally) my relationship with pieces of music and composers that I beholden, sometimes to a near sacred degree. By staying, at least as I see it, rather faithful to the passacaglia form, I hope to have a literal reconciliation between musical material that is born of my mind and that which is not mine by origin, but which persists so often in my ear.

For the premiere of this piece and for offering the Moravian Easter chorale melody “Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!” for inclusion (albeit subtle) in my Passacaglia, I sincerely thank organist and collaborator Luke DiGiacinto. I offer my utmost gratitude to him for his patience and musicianship, as without it the piece would certainly not exist in its current state.

Performance Time: 7’30”