Kokkonen: Complete Kokkonen Edition, Vol. 2

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Joonas Kokkonen's "Complete Kokkonen Edition, Vol. 2," a remarkable collection of his orchestral works released on BIS Records in 1991. This album offers a rich tapestry of Kokkonen's compositional prowess, spanning a little over an hour of evocative and intricate music.

The album opens with Kokkonen's "Music for Strings," a four-movement work that showcases his ability to create depth and nuance with a string orchestra. The piece moves from a moderate tempo to a lively allegro, a reflective adagio, and concludes with a spirited allegro. Following this, "Lintujen tuonela (The Hades of the Birds)" presents a three-part journey inspired by Finnish mythology, blending orchestral and choral elements to create a hauntingly beautiful soundscape.

The final piece on the album is Kokkonen's "Symphony No. 1," a four-movement work that demonstrates his mastery of symphonic form. The symphony moves from a moderate opening to a lively allegretto, a spirited allegro, and concludes with a reflective adagio. Throughout the album, Kokkonen's unique voice and innovative approach to composition shine through, making this a compelling addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection.