Aulis Sallinen: Symphony No. 5 (Washington Mosaics) Op. 57 / Chamber Music III Op. 58 / Cello Sonata Op. 26 | Classical Music for Concert Halls & Home Listening

Aulis Sallinen's position as one of the leading contemporary composers, not only in Finland, is already well established. His music is generally tonal, or at least with a tonal foundation, and influences from e.g. Shostakovich (and Englund) can easily be discerned - but the music doesn't really ever sound like anyone but Sallinen's own. It's quality is somewhat variable, however, but at its best it is extremely effective and certainly some of his works are eligible, or close to being eligible, for the epithet `masterpiece'. This disc contains examples from both ends of the scale, I guess.The fifth symphony was commissioned and premiered by Rostropovich (in 1985), and it is a haunting, evocative work. It doesn't have the same sharply characterized melodic and rhythmic figures as the fourth, but the atmosphere is similar, perhaps best described as a `magical nature'-mood (some traces of Sibelius is definitely audible, more so than in the fourth) and the textures and sonorities are easily recognizable as Sallinen. The work is slightly static in feel (not necessarily in a negative manner), relying more on its evocative soundworld than concentrated argument per se. But Sallinen's high level of invention never flags, and the three Intermezzos are all eminently satisfying with their subtle and imaginative shifts in atmosphere.The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote for cello and orchestra is less interesting. The mood is jocular and light, with a tinge of wistfulness, but the music never takes flight. It attempts to contrast various styles and approaches - and it is indeed inventive enough in that respect - but it fails to convince and the end result is slightly meandering and inconsequential. Something of the same goes for the Sonata for solo cello, which sounds very much like empty gestures, varied enough to be worth a listen, but of no lasting merit. Arto Noras is a splendid soloist in both works, however, and the orchestral contributions are seemingly magnificent, convincingly directed by Okko Kamu. There are alternative recordings of the fifth symphony available, which I haven't heard, but I don't think anyone will be disappointed with this one. The recorded sound is overall fine.In the end, then, this issue does perhaps not convince as unfailingly as does the release containing the fourth symphony, but the fifth symphony is at least a really good work which definitely deserves to be heard and appreciated. It is thus slightly unfortunate that the couplings aren't more interesting.