Einojuhani Rautavaara

Not a household name, his. Einojuhani Rautavaara is still living, rare for composers discussed here on this blog, and he is 80 years old.

In 1972, Rautavaara composed Cantus Arcticus, a concerto for birds and orchestra. The work features tape recordings of birdsong. When I first listened to Cantus Arcticus, I was almost convinced I would not like it very much based on the first couple of minutes. I kept listening, however, and I was rewarded with what turned out to be a beautiful tribute to birds and to nature.

Exploring contemporary classical music can be challenging for many reasons. For one, there is less of a consensus as to what the important works or composers are, so the field to consider is large. This is partly due to the fact that newer works are borne of vastly differing artistic philosophies, leading critics to employ different sets of criteria for determining notable works. Still, now and then you will find a gem, and that gem is likely to be very distinct from what you previously enjoyed listening to and might even give you a fresh perspective on music.