RAUTAVAARA, EINOJUHANI
(born 1928 in Helsinki; currently resides in Helsinki)

Dithyrambos, op. 55 (1970)

Einojuhani Rautavaara, considered the pre-eminent Finnish composer of his generation, is probably the most performed Finnish composer after Sibelius. Heralded as the "composer of many personas," he is prolific, writing in many styles and genres. His compositional identity ranges from neo-romanticism and neo-classicism to serialism, and Orthodox mysticism; Rautavaara's works include operas, concertos, chamber music, and symphonies, as well as music for brass band and for choir.

A Dithyramb was a hymn of praise to Dionysus, the god of enthusiasm and ecstasy to the ancient Greeks 2000 years ago. Rautavaara's Dithyrambos is a three-minute work for violin and piano characterized by humor and wit. Written in 1970, it was premiered the same year during the semi-final round of the Sibelius International Violin Competition.

The work reflects the buoyant temperament of Dionysus in an ebullient atmosphere depicted for the most part with a 7/8 meter and its typically jagged rhythm. Both in the first and last sections, perpetual motion dominates, in the violin at the beginning, and in the piano at the end; the middle section features a series of slides (glissandos) in harmonics, creating a memorable sound effect.

Rautavaara was originally trained as a pianist, but his violin writing is fluent, treating the instrument in a naturally idiomatic manner. Besides Dithyrambos, his compositions for the violin include Variétude, written for the 1975 Sibelius Competition, and a Violin Concerto (1977), among others. His most recent works include the opera Rasputin (2001-03), Book of Visions for orchestra (2003-05; to be premiered in April 2005), and Manhattan Trilogy for orchestra (2003-05; to be premiered in October 2005).