Kaija Saariaho – La Passion de Simone – Finnish Radio Symphony, Esa-Pekka Salonen (2013) [Qobuz FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Kaija Saariaho – La Passion de Simone – Finnish Radio Symphony, Esa-Pekka Salonen (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:05:41 minutes | 0,99 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: Qobuz | @ Ondine Oy, Helsinki
Recorded: 19-20 October 2012, Helsinki Music Centre, Finland

Following its successful world première in 2006, Ondine is proud to present Kaija Saariaho’s La Passion de Simone, for soprano solo, choir, orchestra and electronics for the first time on SACD.
Kaija Saariaho considers La Passion de Simone – an oratorio about the life and thoughts of Simone Weil – to be her most important work. This SACD features world class performers including Dawn Upshaw and Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Tapiola Chamber Choir.
Dawn Upshaw has achieved worldwide acclaim for her wide-ranging operatic and concert repertoire. Kaija Saariaho wrote the soprano part in La Passion de Simone and the opera L’Amour de loin for her.
One of the most important artists in contemporary classical music, Esa-Pekka Salonen has become established both as a celebrated conductor and composer.

This release is also a tribute to Kaija Saariaho who turned 60 on 14th of October 2012.
“… As befits a work that deals with a thoroughly depressing life, the music is unremittingly gloomy. Saariaho’s harmonic language is quite abstract. Ms Upshaw handles her lines with ease and commitment … The Finnish Radio Symphony sounds good.” -Barry Kilpatrick, American Record Guide

“… Esa-Pekka Salonen, long a champion of Saariaho’s music, is the conductor. If such things can be judged from recordings (this one is billed as live) he has done fine work in sorting out the orchestral balances… she [Dawn Upshaw] gives a performance of great intention, discipline and energy, and it is delightful to have her back.” -William R Braun, Opera News

“…This is meat and potatoes for Dawn Upshaw, who has made a career performing new pieces like this, and there is no disappointment here at all. Salonen is also a first choice for a work like this, and performances are simply superb. The SACD sound gives the work all it could ask for, and there are some explosive moments to be had which shine forth in Saariaho’s considerable sonic splendor. Worth a purchase, but know what you are getting into; this is, I suspect an important piece of music.” -Steven Ritter, AudiophileAudition

Tracklist:
Kaija Saariaho (b.1952)
La Passion de Simone
1. Station 1 Simone, grande soeur 03:19
2. Station 2 Simone, grande soeur – Tu as choisi de porter… 03:10
3. Station 3 Une autre que toi 04:44
4. Station 4 Attentive a la souffrance des humains 04:47
5. Station 5 Travailler de tes mains, Simone 01:46
6. Station 6 Et puis il y a cette image, Simone 04:53
7. Station 7 En sortant de l’usine, grande soeur 05:17
8. Station 8 Dieu se retire pour ne pas etre aime 05:36
9. Station 9 Savoir aimer – Dieu, pour Lui-meme 04:32
10. Station 10 Se depouiller – Et tu t’es retrouvee seule 04:15
11. Station 11 Tu as longtemps cru qu’il fallait 03:10
12. Station 12 Alors tu as choisi de te sacrifier autrement 04:53
13. Station 13 Lentement, Tu as rendu l’ame 05:06
14. Station 14 C’etait en aout ’43 03:41
15. Final Station Par ta mort, tout ce que tu avais dit 06:32