Big bleak snowfields. Icy and then exhilarating voices. Whispers, magical murmurs and ominous growls. Vigilia by Finnish composer Rautavaara is lesser known, but at least as beautiful as Rachmaninov’s Vespers. It is a beautiful, dark choral work inspired by experiences from Rautavaara’s youth when he attended a Byzantine monastery.
Seasoned choral enthusiasts and new visitors alike will enjoy this Finnish-tinged program by the Nederlands Kamerkoor. It certainly falls into the category of “monumental choral works. After his high-profile performances of great Russian-oriented choral works such as the aforementioned Vespers by Rachmaninov and the Concert for Choir by Schnittke, chief conductor Peter Dijkstra now pulls out all the stops for an equally impressive performance of this Finnish counterpart, with tongue-twisting titles such as Avuksihuutostikiira, Dogmistikiira Jumalansynnyttäjälle and Ylösnousemustropari.