ERKKI SALMENHAARA (1941-2002): Complete Solo Piano Music - Sonatina, Sonatas No. 1 in E Flat Minor, No. 2 in B, No. 3 & No. 4, Kocab, Thème et Variations sur le nom Erik Tawaststjerna, 17 Small Pieces, Little Suite.

Description: This Finnish composer and scholar began his career in the early 1960s as a full-fledged avant-gardist but these piano works all come from his mature period, except for the Small Pieces (1957-60) which are mostly quite tonal and the First Sonata (1965-66) whose Rachmaninovian final movement points toward the beginning of this simple, pure, almost entirely triadic, melodic and lyrical late style. Hints of Sibelius occur here and there and, by the time of the latest work, here, 1980s Fourth Sonata, Salmenhaara even approaches the minimalist ethos of Adams, Pärt and Tavener. However, the vast majority of these 125 minutes consist of material more neo-romantic than anything else and should appeal to any collectors of Scandinavian music. 2 CDs. Jouni Somero (piano).