Composer: Einojuhani Rautavaara
Performer: Hannu Niemelä, Johanna RusanenKartano, Jorma Hynninen, Jaakko Kortekangas, Mati Turi, Petri Pussila, Tuomas Katajala
Orchestra: Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Hannu Lintu
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Ondine
Catalogue: ODE1174-2
Release: 2011
Size: 290 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Kaivos (The Mine)
Act I
01. Yksi, kaksi, kolme, nelja (Miners, Marko, Vanha)
02. Kaivos! Yksi on enaa sanottava (Commissar)
03. Kansan isa, kirottu olkoon sinun nimesi (Marko, Miners, Priest)
04. Simon! Simon! Siina meille Gabriel! (Marko, Vanha, Simon)
05. Tulit huonoon aikaan (Preist, Simon, Ira)
06. Kuuletko mita he minulta haluavat (Simon, Ira)
Act II
07. Huomio kaksi, taalla viisi (Marko, Women)
08. …ja kuka tarttuu minuun (Ira)
09. Jos liikut, synnytat liikkeen (Commissar, Priest, Ira, Simon)
10. Oletko sina sokea? (Commissar)
11. No niin, koska niin pidat leikeista (Simon, Ira)
12. Mita aiot tehda nyt, Simon? (Priest, Vanha, Simon)
13. Kenties, kenties on tama joukko se siemen (Priest, Simon, Radio, Ira, Women)
Act III
14. Neitsyt, neitsyt, neitsyt! (Miners, Women, Priest)
15. Naetko…uneksitko koskaan (Marko, Ira)
16. Han kuolee pian (Ira, Simon, Miners)
17. Luleli laleli lileli (Miner, Men, Marko, Priest, Vanha)
18. Pois ulos kaivos (Women, Men, Simon, Miner, Ira)
19. Minne se johtaa? (Priest)
20. Ira, meidan taytyy menna! (Simon, Echo)
21. Sor amabilissima, Ave! (Soprano voice)
This new release features the three-act opera Kaivos (The Mine, 1962) by Einojuhani Rautavaara. The patriarch of Finnish composers wrote this, his first opera, in 1957–62 and today considers it, “perhaps the best opera I have ever written, a real thriller whose underlying theme – that a human being defines himself through his choices – is nevertheless universal.”
This CD release represents an apogee in the work’s exceptional history: the opera’s underlying thematic allusions to the 1956 Hungarian uprising impeded a staged performance in Finland, a neighboring country of the then Soviet Union. Instead, a Finnish TV production was broadcast in 1963. The first live (concert) performance in Tampere (Finland) in September 2010 featured the same cast and performers as this première CD recording.
Legendary baritone Jorma Hynninen (lead role ‘Commissar’), who celebrates his 70th anniversary in 2011, has starred in a number of Finnish operas since the 1970s to great international success, including at the MET in New York.
Acclaimed conductor Hannu Lintu leads the reputed Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra on this disc.
Disc also includes complete synopsis, libretto and English translation.
When this recording of Einojuhani Rautavaara’s 1962 opera Kaivos (The Mine) was released commercially for the first time in 2011, the composer wrote that it is “perhaps the best opera I have ever written.” One hesitates to argue with a composer’s judgement, but as a purely audio experience the opera doesn’t make quite as strong an impression in its musical content and dramatic punch as Rautavaara’s more characteristically lyrical later works like Thomas (1982-1985) and Aleksis Kivi (1995-1960). Rautavaara wrote The Mine, his first opera, during his early serial period, so it is a craggier and less immediately approachable work. His commitment to serialism was not absolute and it was influenced by Berg, so the music is tempered by the incorporation of popular and folk elements and broadly Romantic gestures that become more emotionally expressive as the action progresses. The opera packs a densely complex (and often confusing) narrative into three short acts lasting just an hour and a quarter. Rautavaara wrote the libretto based on a very recent uprising of mine workers in Hungary. Because of the Soviet Union’s heavy influence in Finland at the time, the opera was never staged but it was broadcast on Finnish television in 1963 with its more incendiary political themes toned down. It’s a recording of that broadcast that’s released here. Bass-baritone Jorma Hynninen, who has gone on to star in many other Rautavaara operas, is superb in the central role of the Commissar. The other soloists are not at his level, but they are never less than very fine and the performers all seem to be deeply invested in the opera. Hannu Lintu draws excellent playing and singing from the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra and the Kaivos Chorus. Ondine’s sound is clean, warmly atmospheric, and well balanced. The Mine should be of interest to anyone who loves Rautavaara, and to fans of new opera.