Kaija Saariaho
Finnish composer known for spectralism and electronic integration.
Last updated
The Finnish composer Kaija Anneli Saariaho, who lived in Paris, France, was born on 14 October 1952 in Helsinki, Finland, and passed away at age 70 on 2 June 2023 in Paris.[1][2][3]
Life and work
She studied graphic design, piano, musicology, and later composition at the Sibelius Academy under Paavo Heininen.[2] Her works with electronics were developed in collaboration with Barrière, who directed IRCAM's musical research department.[4] On 1 December 2016 the Metropolitan Opera performed L'Amour de loin, the second opera by a female composer ever presented by the company.[5] A concert featuring the spectral music of Tristan Murail and Gérard Grisey, which Saariaho heard at Darmstadt in 1980, caused a significant change in her artistic path.[6]
A glioblastoma diagnosis was given to Saariaho in February 2021.[3]
What the cited sources add
The Ondine label noted Saariaho claimed major awards including the Grawemeyer Award, Wihuri Prize, Nemmers Prize, Sonning Prize, and Polar Music Prize.[7] She was music mentor of the 2014-15 Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative and was in residence at U.C. Berkeley Music Department in 2015.[7] The new Helsinki Music Centre concert organ will be completed in summer 2023 and inaugurated on 1 January 2024.[8] Saariaho's very last work HUSH, a trumpet concerto, premiered posthumously on 24 August 2023 at the Helsinki Music Centre.[9]
The International Kaija Saariaho Organ Composition Competition drew 98 compositions from across the globe and distributed 11 prizes.[8] The competition's jury consisted of chief conductors Nicholas Collon and Susanna Mälkki, organist-composer Francesco Filidei, organist-composer Jan Lehtola, organist Susanne Kujala, and professor Olli Porthan, in addition to Saariaho herself.[8]
References
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Kaija Saariaho, Ondine Composer", Ondine, 28 May 2021; Fiilin, "Kaija Saariaho voted greatest living composer by BBC Music Magazine", Music Finland (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Saariaho, Kaija (1952–2023)", SKS Henkilöhistoria; "Saariaho, Kaija (1952–2023)", SKS Henkilöhistoria (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pitkänen, "Säveltäjä Kaija Saariaho on kuollut", Helsingin Sanomat, 2 June 2023 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Howell, Tim; Hargreaves, Jon; Rofe, Michael. Kaija Saariaho: visions, narratives, dialogues. Ashgate, 2011. 82–85 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Anthony Tommasini, "Review: A Newly Relevant L'Amour de Loin at the Met", The New York Times, 2 December 2016 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Ross, "Birth", 24 April 2006 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Kaija Saariaho, Ondine Composer", Ondine, 28 May 2021. facts only, no text reused. ondine.net
- "The Kaija Saariaho Organ Composition", #PlayTheOrgan – #UrutSoimaan, 27 April 2023. facts only, no text reused. urutsoimaan.fi
- Wikipedia, "Kaija Saariaho" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Susanna Mälkki, Verneri Pohjola", Helsinki Festival; "Radion sinfoniaorkesterin konsertti", Yle Areena (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Kaija Saariaho (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Classical Composers And Instrumentalists
Test yourself
Three questions drawn from this entry’s sources. Pick an answer to check it.
Answers checked against the source article
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Kaija Saariaho (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced