Tier 2 · legacy legendfull biography
Kaija Saariaho
Person · female · Finland · Helsinki · born 1952 · died 2023 · recording since 1985
Finnish composer (1952–2023)
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Also known as Kaija Anneli Laakkonen · Kaija Anneli Saariaho · Kaija Laakkonen · Saariaho · 凯娅·萨里阿霍
Timeline
65 events▣ Album 44✦ Award 18◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1† Death 1
1950s
1980s
· Debut release
Debut release: A Portrait of Kaija Saariaho
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Endymion Ensemble: Lindberg / Kaipainen / Hämeenniemi / Saariaho
Album
source: musicbrainz
1990s
2000s
· Album
Album: Cinq Reflets de L'Amour de Loin / Nymphea Reflection / Oltra Mar
Album
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography1,528 words · 4 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1374241620
Biography
Kaija Anneli Saariaho (Finnish: [ˈkɑi̯jɑ ˈsɑːriɑho]; née Laakkonen; 14 October 1952 – 2 June 2023) was a Finnish composer based in Paris, France. During the course of her career, Saariaho received commissions from the Lincoln Center for the Kronos Quartet and from IRCAM for the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the BBC, the New York Philharmonic, the Salzburg Music Festival, the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and the Finnish National Opera, among others. In a 2019 composers' poll by BBC Music Magazine, Saariaho was ranked the greatest living composer.
Saariaho studied composition in Helsinki, Freiburg, and Paris, where she also lived since 1982. Her research at the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM) marked a turning point in her music away from strict serialism towards spectralism. Her characteristically rich, polyphonic textures are often created by combining live music and electronics.
Life and work
Saariaho was born in Helsinki, Finland. She played violin, guitar and piano growing up, and received her primary and secondary education at a Steiner school. In university she studied first splitting her time between studying graphic design at the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, piano at the Helsinki Conservatorium and musicology at the University of Helsinki; and then she later studied composition at the Sibelius Academy under the guidance of Paavo Heininen. After attending the Darmstadt Summer Courses, she moved to Germany to study at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg under Brian Ferneyhough and Klaus Huber. She found her Freiburg teachers' emphasis on strict serialism and mathematical structures stifling, saying in an interview:
You were not allowed to have pulse, or tonally oriented harmonies, or melodies. I don't want to write music through negations. Everything is permissible as long as it's done in good taste.
In 1980, Saariaho went to the Darmstadt Summer Courses and attended a concert of the French spectralists Tristan Murail and Gérard Grisey. Hearing spectral music for the first time marked a profound shift in Saariaho's artistic direction. These experiences guided her decision to attend courses in computer music that were being given by IRCAM, the computer music research institute in Paris, by David Wessel, Jean-Baptiste Barrière, and Marc Battier.
In 1982, she began work at IRCAM researching computer analyses of the sound-spectrum of individual notes produced by different instruments. She developed techniques for computer-assisted composition, experimented with musique concrète, and wrote her first pieces combining live performance with electronics. She also composed new works using IRCAM's CHANT synthesiser. Each of her Jardin Secret trilogy was created with the use of computer programs. Jardin secret I (1985), Jardin secret II (1986), and Nymphea (Jardin secret III) (1987). Her works with electronics were developed in collaboration with Jean-Baptiste Barrière, a composer, multimedia artist, and computer scientist who directed the IRCAM's department of musical research from 1984 to 1987. Saariaho and Barrière married in 1984. They have two children.
In Paris, Saariaho developed an emphasis on slow transformations of dense masses of sound. Her first tape piece, Vers Le Blanc from 1982, and her orchestral and tape work, Verblendungen, are both constructed from a single transition: in Vers Le Blanc the transition is from one pitch cluster to another, while in Verblendungen, it is from loud to quiet. Verblendungen also uses a pair of visual ideas as its basis: a brush stroke which starts as a dense mark on the page and thins out into individual strands, and the word Verblendungen itself, which means "dazzlements, delusions, blindedness".
Her work in the 1980s and 1990s was marked by an emphasis on timbre and the use of electronics alongside traditional instruments. Nymphéa (Jardin secret III) (1987), for example, is for string quartet and live electronics and contains an additional vocal element: the musicians whisper the words of an Arseny Tarkovsky poem, Now Summer is Gone. In writing Nymphea, Saariaho used a fractal generator to create material. Writing about the compositional process, Saariaho said:
In preparing the musical material of the piece, I have used the computer in several ways. The basis of the entire harmonic structure is provided by complex cello sounds that I have analysed with the computer. The basic material for the rhythmic and melodic transformations are computer-calculated in which the musical motifs gradually convert, recurring again and again.
Saariaho often talked about having a kind of synaesthesia, one that involves all of the senses, saying:
... the visual and the musical world are one to me ... Different senses, shades of colour, or textures and tones of light, even fragrances and sounds blend in my mind. They form a complete world in itself.
Another example is Six Japanese Gardens (1994), a percussion piece accompanied by a prerecorded electronic layer of the Japanese nature, traditional instruments, and chanting of Buddhist monks. During her visit to Tokyo in 1993, she expanded her original percussion conception into a semi-indeterminate piece. It consists of six movements that each represent a garden composed of traditional Japanese architecture, by which she was inspired rhythmically. Especially in movement IV and V, she explored many possibilities of complex polyrhythm in liberated instrumentation. She said:
... I felt a connection between architecture and music: both art forms select and introduce materials, let them grow, give them form, prepare new contrasting elements, create different relations between the materials.
In her book on Saariaho, musicologist Pirkko Moisala writes about the indeterminate nature of this composition:
[Kaija said:] 'There are so many kinds of percussion instruments which I do not know. I thought that it would be most interesting to see how the musicians choose their instruments in certain passages.' the identity and character of the composition remains the same even when the instruments are changed; each musical idea requires certain kinds of sound color but not a particular instrument.
On 1 December 2016, the Metropolitan Opera gave its first performance of L'Amour de loin, the second opera by a female composer ever to be presented by the company (the first was performed more than a century earlier, in 1903). The subsequent transmission of the opera to cinema on 10 December 2016 as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series marked the first opera by a female composer, and the first opera conducted by a female conductor (Susanna Mälkki), in the series. In 2002 the Santa Fe Opera presented L'Amour de loin. In 2008, the Santa Fe Opera also presented her opera Adriana Mater.
Saariaho was the patron of the Helsinki Music Centre organ project and endowed the construction of a new organ in the Helsinki Music Centre with one million euros. She was also the chair of the International Kaija Saariaho Organ Composition Competition, which selected in April 2023 eleven compositions.
Saariaho was diagnosed with glioblastoma in February 2021. She died in Paris on 2 June 2023, at age 70.
Her very last work, HUSH, a concerto for trumpet and orchestra, was given its world premiere on 24 August 2023 at the Helsinki Music Centre with Verneri Pohjola and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Susanna Mälkki. While the premiere was posthumous, Saariaho had been able to hear the work herself at a rehearsal in the spring of 2023. The piece is conceived as a response to Saariaho's own first concerto Graal Théâtre and based on a text by Aleksi Barrière, Saariaho's son and librettist of some of her last works.
Awards and honours
1986 – Kranichsteiner Prize at Darmstädter Ferienkurse
1988 – Prix Italia for Stilleben
1989 – Prix Ars Electronica for Stilleben and Io; one-year residency at the University of San Diego
2000 – Nordic Council Music Prize for Lonh
2003 – Doctor honoris causa by the Faculty of Arts, University of Turku
2003 – Doctor honoris causa by the Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki
2003 – University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for L'Amour de loin
2008 – Musical America "Musician of the Year 2008"
2009 – Wihuri Sibelius Prize
2010 – invited by Walter Fink to be the 20th composer featured in the annual Komponistenporträt of the Rheingau Musik Festival; the second female composer after Sofia Gubaidulina.
2011 – Léonie Sonning Music Prize
2011 – Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording (L'Amour de loin)
2012 – American Academy of Arts & Sciences, Member
2013 – Polar Music Prize
2017 – BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Contemporary Music
2017 – Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste, Corresponding Member
2017 – American Academy of Arts and Letters, Honorary member
2018 – Doctor honoris causa by the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki
2019 – BBC Music Magazine "Greatest Living Composer" survey
2021 – Leone d'oro di Venezia, Biennale della Musica Contemporanea
2021 – The New York Times "Composer of the Year"
2022 – Académie des Beaux-Arts, "membre associé étranger"
2023 – Academician of Arts title bestowed by the President of the Republic of Finland
Selected recordings
Graal Théâtre – Gidon Kremer; BBC Symphony Orchestra; Esa-Pekka Salonen – Sony SK60817
L'Amour de loin – Gerald Finley; Dawn Upshaw; Finnish National Opera; Esa-Pekka Salonen – Deutsche Grammophon DVD 00440 073 40264
Nymphéa – Cikada String Quartet – ECM New Series 472 4222
"Kaija Saariaho: Saarikoski Songs, Vista, Three Preludes" – Anu Komsi (Soprano), BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sakari Oramo, (2026 Ondine CD ODE15122)
Other languages
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 36 | 93.2th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 50 | 94.3th |
| Studio albums | 44 | 99.1th |
| Awards recorded | 21 | 99.6th |
| Timeline events | 65 | 99.3th |
| Recording span (years) | 38 | 78th |
| Genres | 11 | 97.2th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (50 release groups · 44 studio albums)
Albums · 44
1985 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 48:53
1Verblendungen13:242Jardin secret I (electronic music)10:273Laconisme de l'aile for solo flute9:444...sah den Vögeln15:18Endymion Ensemble: Lindberg / Kaipainen / Hämeenniemi / Saariaho
1989 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 55:34
1...De Tartuffe, Je Crois10:312Trio 1, op. 21: Presto4:433Trio 1, op. 21: Quasi senza tempo - Largo8:164Trio 1, op. 21: Poco allegro6:295Efisaes6:086Lichtbogen19:27Lichtbogen / Io / Verblendungen / Stilleben
1989 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:07:38
1Verblendungen13:202Lichtbogen15:083Io17:014Stilleben22:091992 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 1:13:56
1Maa: I. Journey7:332Maa: II. Gates11:033Maa: III. ...de la Terre (Door)14:114Maa: IV. Forest8:335Maa: V. Windows10:016Maa: VI. Fall5:277Maa: VII. Aer (Phoenix)17:08Du Cristal / …À La Fumée / Nymphéa
1993 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 56:34
1Du Cristal - For Symphony Orchestra16:402…À La Fumée - For Alto Flute, Cello And Symphony Orchestra21:133Nymphéa - For String Quartet And Electronics18:411996 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:11:14
1Quintet for Clarinet and Strings17:442Angels' Music15:513Nymphea "Jardin Secret III"19:364Arsenic and Old Lace18:031997 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 1:03:15
1Lonh15:592Près: I7:293Près: II3:144Près: III8:485NoaNoa8:536Six Japanese Gardens: I. Tenju-an Garden of Nanzen-ji Temple3:507Six Japanese Gardens: II. Many Pleasures (Garden of the Kinkaku-ji)1:288Six Japanese Gardens: III. Dry Mountain Stream3:219Six Japanese Gardens: IV. Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji3:5210Six Japanese Gardens: V. Moss Garden of the Saiho-ji2:5311Six Japanese Gardens: VI. Stone Bridges3:28La Dame à la Licorne / Cloud Music
1998 · studio album
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Tracklist · 2 tracks · 1:10:59
1La Dame à la Licorne40:132Cloud Music30:462000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 49:45
1Cendres8:572Grammaire Des Rêves11:273Solar17:294New Gates11:522000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 1:04:04
1Du gick, flög4:492Preludi-Tunnustus-Postludi: Preludi1:353Preludi-Tunnustus-Postludi: Tunnustus1:364Preludi-Tunnustus-Postludi: Postludi2:035Miranda's Lament4:526Caliban's Dream3:437From the Grammar of Dreams: I.2:288From the Grammar of Dreams: II.1:479From the Grammar of Dreams: III.2:1310From the Grammar of Dreams: IV.1:5911From the Grammar of Dreams: V.2:2012Il pleut4:4213Adjö11:0414Grammaire des rêves14:4115Die Aussicht4:12Château de l'âme / Graal théâtre / Amers
2001 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:11:30
1Graal théâtre: I. Delicato16:552Graal théâtre: II. Impetuoso10:383Château de l'âme: I. La liane5:534Château de l'âme: II. À la terre5:155Château de l'âme: III. La liane3:016Château de l'âme: IV. Pour repousser l'esprit2:087Château de l'âme: V. Les formules7:588Amers: Part 1: Libero, dolce, misterioso8:439Amers: Part 2: Sempre molto energico, ma espressivo10:59Six japanese gardens / Trois rivières delta
2002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 30:17
1Six Japanese Gardens: Tenju-an Garden of Nanzen-ji Temple3:122Six Japanese Gardens: Kinkaku-ki (Golden Pavillon)1:203Six Japanese Gardens: Tenryu-ji (Dry Mountain Stream)3:034Six Japanese Gardens: Ryoan-ji (Sand Garden)2:205Six Japanese Gardens: Saiho-ji (Moss Garden)2:486Six Japanese Gardens: Daisen-in (Stone Bridges)3:207Trois Rivières: Delta: 13:458Trois Rivières: Delta: 26:369Trois Rivières: Delta: 33:532002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:00:14
1Laconisme de l'aile7:522Poèmes de Saint-John Perse - extraits de Oiseaux: I. L'oiseau, de tous nos consanguins3:243Poèmes de Saint-John Perse - extraits de Oiseaux: II. Les vieux naturalistes français2:384Poèmes de Saint-John Perse - extraits de Oiseaux: IV. De ceux qui fréquentent l'altitude2:055Poèmes de Saint-John Perse - extraits de Oiseaux: IX: D'une parcelle à l'autre du temps partiel2:106Poèmes de Saint-John Perse - extraits de Oiseaux: X. Gratitude du vol!2:287Poèmes de Saint-John Perse - extraits de Oiseaux: XIII. Oiseaux, lances levées2:448L'Aile du songe: Ia. Aérienne: Prélude2:399L'Aile du songe: Ib. Aérienne: Jardin des oiseaux4:2010L'Aile du songe: Ic. Aérienne: D'autres rives3:3611L'Aile du songe: IIa. Terrestre: L'oiseaux dansant5:5312L'Aile du songe: IIb. Terrestre: Oiseau, un satellite infime de notre orbite planétaire4:3113English Poems by Saint-John Perse - excerpts from Oiseaux: I. The bird, most ardent for life3:1914English Poems by Saint-John Perse - excerpts from Oiseaux: II. The old French naturalists2:3715English Poems by Saint-John Perse - excerpts from Oiseaux: IV. Of those who haunt the higher air2:1016English Poems by Saint-John Perse - excerpts from Oiseaux: IX. From one part of ever partial time to another2:1217English Poems by Saint-John Perse - excerpts from Oiseaux: X. Gratitude of fight!2:5818English Poems by Saint-John Perse - excerpts from Oiseaux: XIII. Birds, lances lifted2:38Graal Théâtre / Solar / Lichtbogen
2002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:03:35
1Graal Théâtre: I18:242Graal Théâtre: II11:273Solar17:104Lichtbogen16:342004 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:12:09
1Cendres9:092Noa Noa8:283Mirrors3:384Spins and Spells6:055Monkey Fingers, Velvet Hand3:066Petals9:017Mirrors3:378Laconisme de le' aile10:319Six Japanese Gardens: Tenju-an Garden of Nanzen-ji Temple3:0810Six Japanese Gardens: Many Pleasures (Garden of the Kinkaku-ji)1:3711Six Japanese Gardens: Dry Mountain Stream3:2312Six Japanese Gardens: Rock Garden of Royan-ji3:5613Six Japanese Gardens: Moss Garden of the Saiho-ji2:4814Six Japanese Gardens: Stone Bridges3:42Cinq Reflets de L'Amour de Loin / Nymphea Reflection / Oltra Mar
2004 · studio album
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Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:13:21
1Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: Outremer6:242Cinq reflets de L'Amour de Loin: Songe5:053Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: L'Amour de loin7:254Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: Si la mort pouvait attendre5:325Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: Vers toi qui es si loin5:116Nymphea Reflection: Sostenuto3:327Nymphea Reflection: Feroce3:398Nymphea Reflection: Dolcissimo4:159Nymphea Reflection: Lent espressivo3:1710Nymphea Reflection: Furioso3:5611Nymphea Reflection: Misterioso3:1212Oltra mar: Départ4:3813Oltra mar: Amour3:0514Oltra mar: Vagues2:1815Oltra mar: Temps3:3916Oltra mar: Souvenir de vagues1:1017Oltra mar: Mort (In Memory of Gérard Grisey)3:3818Oltra mar: Arrivée3:252006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 56:08
1Petals10:432Oi Kuu6:233Spins and Spells5:414Mirrors3:115Sept Papillions: Part 11:246Sept Papillions: Part 21:287Sept Papillions: Part 31:318Sept Papillions: Part 42:039Sept Papillions: Part 51:2910Sept Papillions: Part 62:0811Sept Papillions: Part 71:0612Près: Part 16:4013Près: Part 23:0514Près: Part 39:162007 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 1:12:11
1Plus II9:232Iscrizione3:163Oi kuu6:404Steamboat Bill Jr.9:075Unes6:126Pros5:527Karanssi, op. 114: I.2:298Karanssi, op. 114: II.3:529Karanssi, op. 114: III.4:0010A Due4:0511Short I, op. 588:3212Capriole8:43Notes on Light / Orion / Mirage
2008 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:03:01
1Notes on Light: I. Translucent, Secret4:572Notes on Light: II. On Fire3:113Notes on Light: III. Awakening7:514Notes on Light: IV. Eclipse4:225Notes on Light: V. Heart of Light7:056Orion: I. Memento mori6:587Orion: II. Winter Sky9:288Orion: III. Hunter5:329Mirage13:372009 · studio album
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Tracklist · 30 tracks · 2:01:14
Disc 11L'Amour de loin: Premier acte : (Traversée)5:412L'Amour de loin: Premier acte : Premier tableau : Jaufré Rudel, Jaufré : J'ai appris à parler du bonheur6:493L'Amour de loin: Premier acte : Deuxième tableau : Le Pèlerin, Le Pèlerin : Peut-être bien qu'elle n'existe pas5:344L'Amour de loin: Premier acte : Jaufré : Qu'as-tu fait de moi, pèlerin ?2:245L'Amour de loin: Deuxième acte : Premier tableau : Clémence3:046L'Amour de loin: Deuxième acte : Clémence : Pèlerin, dites-moi !6:117L'Amour de loin: Deuxième acte : Le Pèlerin : Un homme pense à vous2:258L'Amour de loin: Deuxième acte : Deuxième tableau : l'Amour de loin, Le Pèlerin : Rien ne vous oblige à l'aimer7:019L'Amour de loin: Deuxième acte : Clémence : Ja mais d'amor4:4110L'Amour de loin: Troisième acte : Premier tableau : Au château de Blaye1:0611L'Amour de loin: Troisième acte : Jaufré : Pèlerin, Pèlerin, dis-moi3:4712L'Amour de loin: Troisième acte : Le Pèlerin : Jaufré, elle sait4:1313L'Amour de loin: Troisième acte : Le Pèlerin : Peut-être ferais-je mieux de m'en aller4:2814L'Amour de loin: Troisième acte : Deuxième tableau : À Tripoli, sur la plage : Clémence : Ben tenc lo seignor per verai4:4015L'Amour de loin: Troisième acte : Clémence : Non, par Notre Seigneur3:02Disc 21L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Premier tableau : Mer indigo5:272L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Jaufré : Me croiras-tu, Pèlerin4:133L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Deuxième tableau : Songe2:084L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Jaufré : Je l'ai vue, Pèlerin3:235L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Le Pèlerin : Calme-toi, Jaufré1:266L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Troisième tableau : Tempête, Jaufré : Je devrais être l'homme le plus heureux du monde2:137L'Amour de loin: Quatrième acte : Le Pèlerin : Ces choses se savent, oui4:038L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Premier tableau : Jardin de la Citadelle, Le chœur des Tripolitaines : Comtesse, regardez2:589L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Le Pèlerin : Noble dame, je vous apporte une nouvelle2:3110L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Deuxième tableau : Si la morte pouvait attendre, Jaufré : C'est vous, c'est vous4:1811L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Clémence : J'aurais tant voulu2:5712L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Jaufré : Seigneur, si je pouvais rester ainsi4:1313L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Troisième tableau : J'espère encore, Clémence : J'espère encore, mon dieu3:1914L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Clémence : J'avais cru en toi6:5915L'Amour de loin: Cinquième acte : Quatrième tableau : Vers toi qui est si loin, Clémence : si tu t'appelles Amour6:00D'om le vrai sens / Laterna Magica / Leino Songs
2011 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 1:07:28
1Clarinet Concerto, “D'om le vrai sens”: L'Ouïe7:002Clarinet Concerto, “D'om le vrai sens”: La Vue3:293Clarinet Concerto, “D'om le vrai sens”: L'Odorat7:044Clarinet Concerto, “D'om le vrai sens”: Le Toucher3:275Clarinet Concerto, “D'om le vrai sens”: Le Goût4:006Clarinet Concerto, “D'om le vrai sens”: A mon seul désir6:117Laterna Magica23:508Leino Songs: Sua katselen3:029Leino Songs: Sydän2:0310Leino Songs: Rauha4:5911Leino Songs: Iltarukous2:232012 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:17:23
1Mirage15:282Cloud Trio: I. Calmo, meditato3:013Cloud Trio: II. Sempre dolce, ma energico, sempre a tempo3:474Cloud Trio: III. Sempre energico2:345Cloud Trio: IV. Traquillo ma sempre molto espressivo7:016Cendres10:087Je sens un deuxième cœur: I. Je dévoile ma peau4:228Je sens un deuxième cœur: II. Ouvre-moi, vite !2:179Je sens un deuxième cœur: III. Dans le rêve, elle l'attendait4:1110Je sens un deuxième cœur: IV. Il faut que j'entre2:3411Je sens un deuxième cœur: V. Je sens un deuxième cœur qui bat tout près du mien5:5612Serenatas: Delicato2:4913Serenatas: Agitato3:1314Serenatas: Dolce1:2315Serenatas: Languido5:4216Serenatas: Misterioso2:572013 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 1:05:50
1La Passion de Simone: Première Station3:192La Passion de Simone: Deuxième Station3:103La Passion de Simone: Troisième Station4:444La Passion de Simone: Quatrième Station4:485La Passion de Simone: Cinquième Station1:476La Passion de Simone: Sixième Station4:547La Passion de Simone: Septième Station5:188La Passion de Simone: Huitième Station5:379La Passion de Simone: Neuvième Station4:3310La Passion de Simone: Dixième Station4:1511La Passion de Simone: Onzième Station3:1112La Passion de Simone: Douzième Station4:5413La Passion de Simone: Treizième Station5:0614La Passion de Simone: Quatorzième Station3:4115La Passion de Simone: Ultime Station6:33Chamber Works for Strings, Vol. 1
2013 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:11:33
1Tocar for Violin and Piano7:182Vent nocturne for Viola and Electronics: I. Sombres miroirs8:103Vent nocturne for Viola and Electronics: II. Soupirs de l'obscur6:244Calices: Calices I5:575Calices: Calices II4:326Calices: Calices III5:197Spins and Spells for Cello Solo6:588Nocturne for Violin Solo5:199Nymphéa for String Quartet and Live Electronics21:36Émilie Suite / Quantre instants / Terra memoria
2015 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:11:11
1Quatre instants: I. Attende5:292Quatre instants: II. Douleur5:043Quatre instants: III. Parfum de l'instant3:414Quatre instants: IV. Résonances6:105Terra memoria17:596Émilie Suite: I. Pressentiments8:137Émilie Suite: II. Interlude I4:088Émilie Suite: III. Principia7:459Émilie Suite: IV. Interlude II3:0010Émilie Suite: V. Contre l'oubli9:422015 · studio album
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Tracklist · 20 tracks · 1:30:51
Disc 11Sonata no. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: I. Adagio3:522Sonata no. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: II. Fuga5:183Sonata no. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: III. Siciliana2:584Sonata no. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: IV. Presto3:245Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117, BB 124: I. Tempo di ciaccona8:246Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117, BB 124: II. Fuga4:217Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117, BB 124: III. Melodia7:058Sonata for Solo Violin, Sz. 117, BB 124: IV. Presto5:09Disc 21Frises: I. Frise Jaune3:562Frises: II. Frise de Fleur5:553Frises: III. Pavage7:274Frises: IV. Frise Grise3:555Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: I. Allemanda5:236Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: II. Double3:417Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: III. Corrente3:158Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: IV. Double. Presto3:229Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: V. Sarabande3:1710Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: VI. Double3:0611Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: VII. Tempo di Bores3:2912Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: VIII. Double3:34Symphonie et créations pour orgue et orchestre
2015 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 1:06:24
1Symphonie nº 3 en do mineur, op. 78 « avec orgue »: I. Adagio - Allegro moderato -10:212Symphonie nº 3 en do mineur, op. 78 « avec orgue »: I. Poco adagio10:263Symphonie nº 3 en do mineur, op. 78 « avec orgue »: II. Allegro moderato - Presto -7:284Symphonie nº 3 en do mineur, op. 78 « avec orgue »: II. Maestoso - Allegro8:065A Globe Itself Infolding11:056Maan varjot: Misterioso ma intenso5:267Maan varjot: Lento calmo6:308Maan varjot: Energico7:022015 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 1:11:02
1Tocar7:292Mirrors I3:393Couleurs du vent9:114Sombre: I. Canto CXVIII5:575Sombre: II. Canto CXX8:516Sombre: III. Fragment6:027Dolce tormento6:418Mirrors III3:509Oi kuu6:5210Laconisme de l'aile9:0311Mirrors II3:272016 · studio album
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Tracklist · 21 tracks · 1:55:19
Disc 11Nene: I. Jumping on the Walls. Energico4:092Nene: II. Dozing on a Hanger. Onirico, ritmico ma non preciso3:523Nene: III. Riding a Mosquito. Scherzando3:174Nene: IV. Oozing Away. Con brio, nervoso - Calmo, rubato4:425Ruminations11:416Piano Trio in D major, JS 209 "Korpo": I. Allegro moderato8:017Piano Trio in D major, JS 209 "Korpo": II. Fantasia. Andante12:028Piano Trio in D major, JS 209 "Korpo": III. Finale6:19Disc 21Piano Trio in A minor, JS 207 "Havträsk": I. Allegro maetoso6:002Piano Trio in A minor, JS 207 "Havträsk": II. Andantino4:063Piano Trio in A minor, JS 207 "Havträsk": III. Scherzo. Vivace2:274Piano Trio in A minor, JS 207 "Havträsk": IV. Rondo6:595Päärme11:126Je sens un deuxième coeur: I. Je dévoile ma peau4:007Je sens un deuxième coeur: II. Ouvre-moi, vite!2:078Je sens un deuxième coeur: III. Dans le rêve, elle l'attendait3:379Je sens un deuxième coeur: IV. Il faut que j'entre2:1610Je sens un deuxième coeur: V. Je sens un deuxième coeur qui bat tout près du mien5:1211Piano Trio in C major, JS 208 "Lovisa": I. Allegro4:5012Piano Trio in C major, JS 208 "Lovisa": II. Andante3:4313Piano Trio in C major, JS 208 "Lovisa": III. Lento - Allegro con brio4:47Chamber Works for Strings, Vol. 2
2016 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 1:04:11
1Fleurs de Neige4:172Aure5:503Du gick, flög3:544Nocturne6:005Changing Light5:506...de la Terre14:437Die Aussicht3:598Terra Memoria19:382017 · studio album
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Tracklist · 23 tracks · 1:11:45
1Rakastava7:082Nuits adieux: Nuit I1:303Nuits adieux: Adieu I1:354Nuits adieux: Nuit II1:075Nuits adieux: Adieu II1:336Nuits adieux: Nuit III1:137Nuits adieux: Nuit IV1:388Nuits adieux: Nuit V0:459Nuits adieux: Adieux III-IV2:2610Kuun kirje5:5411Canticum Mariae virginis8:1312Mieliteko: I. Mieliteko2:0113Mieliteko: II. Punapaula2:2314Mieliteko: III. Lintu3:0615Mieliteko: IV. Jäniksen Joulu1:1316Mieliteko: V. Iltalaulu4:0617Canción de nuestro tiempo: I. Fragmentos de Agonia4:4418Canción de nuestro tiempo: II. Méditación primera y última4:3219Canción de nuestro tiempo: III. Ciudad sin sueño (Nocturno del Sarajevo)6:5820Orpheus singt: I. Da stieg ein Baum...2:2821Orpheus singt: II. Und fast ein Mädchen wars...2:0622Orpheus singt: III. Ein Gott vermags...2:1723Finlandia, op. 26 Nr. 72:49Nordsending: Works for String Trio & Duo
2017 · studio album
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Tracklist · 21 tracks · 1:18:40
1Gondole: I. La Gondola che balla il valzer0:582Gondole: II. Gondola dei sogni3:463Gondole: III. La Gondola con il vestito dei fiori2:344Gondole: IV. Gondola dell'amore3:335Gondole: V. Lugubre gondola7:596Strings: I. Moderato6:187Strings: II. Allegro1:368Strings: III. Adagio2:379Strings: IV. Presto4:2810Cloud Trio: I. Calmo, meditato2:5211Cloud Trio: II. Sempre dolce ma energico, sempre a tempo3:4612Cloud Trio: III. Sempre energico3:0513Cloud Trio: IV. Tranquillo ma sempre molto espressivo7:0214Tjampuan "Where the Rivers Meet": I. Sostenuto, molto affettuoso2:0715Tjampuan "Where the Rivers Meet": II. Poco con moto affettuoso0:3716Tjampuan "Where the Rivers Meet": III. Con moto sostenuto1:1517Tjampuan "Where the Rivers Meet": IV. Più mosso3:1518Tjampuan "Where the Rivers Meet": V. Andantino leggiero, un poco rubato2:4719Tjampuan "Where the Rivers Meet": VI. Presto frenético1:5420Rift9:2321Pastorale from Babette's Feast6:482018 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:07:38
1Tocar6:512Cloud Trio: I. Calmo, meditato2:323Cloud Trio: II. Sempre dolce, ma energico, sempre a tempo3:224Cloud Trio: III. Sempre energico2:335Cloud Trio: IV. Tranquillo ma sempre molto espressivo5:016Light and Matter13:537Aure5:478Graal théâtre: I. Delicato17:209Graal théâtre: II. Impetuoso10:19Circle Map, Graal Théâtre, Neiges, Vers toi qui es si loin
2019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:26:05
1Vers toi qui es si loin6:402Circle Map: I Morning Wind4:353Circle Map: II Walls Closing4:134Circle Map: III Circles5:395Circle Map: IV Days Are Sieves4:416Circle Map: V Dialogue6:117Circle Map: VI Day and Night, Music4:498Neiges, Version for 12 Celli: I Nuages de neige5:359Neiges, Version for 12 Celli: II Étoile de neige 11:3210Neiges, Version for 12 Celli: III Étoile de neige 22:4311Neiges, Version for 12 Celli: IV Aguilles de glace4:4612Neiges, Version for 12 Celli: V Fleurs de neige3:5013Graal Théâtre, for Violin and Orchestra: I18:5614Graal Théâtre, for Violin and Orchestra: II11:552019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 1:01:34
1Das Tosen des staunenden Echos14:392The Tempest Songbook: Ariel’s Hail2:533The Tempest Songbook: Caliban’s Dream2:324The Tempest Songbook: Miranda’s Lament3:435The Tempest Songbook: Prospero’s Vision4:306The Tempest Songbook: Ferdinand’s Comfort2:207Antagonisme contrôlé30:572019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 59:00
1YTA III7:462knock, breathe, shine: I. knock2:583knock, breathe, shine: II. breathe5:384knock, breathe, shine: III. shine6:235Sarabande per un coyote3:046Chiacona2:467Dreaming Chaconne3:228Petals8:469Sept papillons: Papillon I: Dolce, leggiero, libero1:5110Sept papillons: Papillon II: Leggiero, molto espressivo1:2811Sept papillons: Papillon III: Calmo, con tristezza1:4412Sept papillons: Papillon IV: Dolce, tranquillo2:4813Sept papillons: Papillon V: Lento, misterioso1:3314Sept papillons: Papillon VI: Sempre poco nervoso, senza tempo1:4515Sept papillons: Papillon VII: Molto espressivo, energico1:0516Spins and Spells6:032021 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:23:28
1Between (Cello Concerto no. 1): I. In Between11:122Between (Cello Concerto no. 1): II. Turning Point4:273Between (Cello Concerto no. 1): III. Among13:404Notes on Light: I. Translucent, secret5:595Notes on Light: II. On fire3:076Notes on Light: III. Awakening11:377Notes on Light: IV. Eclipse5:128Notes on Light: V. Heart of Light7:339Remembering Child (Viola Concerto no. 1): I.9:0010Remembering Child (Viola Concerto no. 1): II.11:412022 · studio album
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Tracklist · 17 tracks · 1:02:02
1Petals9:362Spins and Spells6:543Près: I7:394Près: II3:095Près: III8:306Sept papillons: Papillon I1:437Sept papillons: Papillon II1:318Sept papillons: Papillon III1:399Sept papillons: Papillon IV2:0910Sept papillons: Papillon V1:2911Sept papillons: Papillon VI1:5512Sept papillons: Papillon VII1:1213Neiges: Nuages de neige3:0314Neiges: Etoile de neige I1:2015Neiges: Etoile de neige II2:4316Neiges: Aiguilles de glace4:1117Neiges: Fleurs de neige3:192023 · studio album
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Tracklist · 31 tracks · 1:21:33
1Nuits, adieux: 1. Nuit I1:412Nuits, adieux: 2. Adieu I1:263Nuits, adieux: 3. Nuit II1:154Nuits, adieux: 4. Adieu II1:325Nuits, adieux: 5. Nuit III1:206Nuits, adieux: 6. Nuit IV1:267Nuits, adieux: 7. Nuit V0:458Nuits, adieux: 8. Adieu III–V2:459Horloge, tais-toi !3:2710Écho !: 1. Dolce energico3:1011Écho !: 2. Calmo, espressivo3:1812Écho !: 3. Libero, intenso4:4013Tag des Jahrs: 1. Der Frühling3:2314Tag des Jahrs: 2. Der Sommer4:2515Tag des Jahrs: 3. Der Herbst1:3016Tag des Jahrs: 4. Der Winter5:4717Überzeugung2:5618Reconnaissance: 1. The First Martian in a Long Time4:2919Reconnaissance: 2. Count Down3:2620Reconnaissance: Interlude1:5721Reconnaissance: 3. Green House5:2622Reconnaissance: 4. Desert People3:3123Reconnaissance: 5. Requiem5:5524Nuits, adieux: 1. Nuit I1:3125Nuits, adieux: 2. Adieu I1:2826Nuits, adieux: 3. Nuit II1:1927Nuits, adieux: 4. Adieu II1:3728Nuits, adieux: 5. Nuit III1:2129Nuits, adieux: 6. Nuit IV1:2630Nuits, adieux: 7. Nuit V0:4931Nuits, adieux: 8. Adieu III–V2:322024 · studio album
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Tracklist · 15 tracks · 1:16:30
1Maan Varjot for Organ and Orchestra: I. Shadows Fly. Misterioso ma intenso5:172Maan Varjot for Organ and Orchestra: II. Dome. Lento calmo7:093Maan Varjot for Organ and Orchestra: III. Flowers, Ruins, Statues. Energico6:024Château de l'âme: 1. La Liane5:345Château de l'âme: 2. A la terre5:196Château de l'âme: 3. La liane3:217Château de l'âme: 4. Pour repousser l'esprit2:418Château de l'âme: 5. Les formules7:289True Fire: 1. Proposition I3:1410True Fire: 2. River5:1211True Fire: 3. Proposition II2:5312True Fire: 4. Lullaby5:1113True Fire: 5. Farewell7:2814True Fire: 6. Proposition III2:0315Offrande for Violoncello and Organ7:382024 · studio album
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Tracklist · 37 tracks · 2:06:17
1Adriana Mater: Prelude1:532Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 1: Clartés: Quand les yeux de la cité se ferment3:013Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 1: Clartés: Elle ne m’adresse plus la parole3:544Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 1: Clartés: Pourquoi parler ainsi à un voyou6:215Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 1: Clartés: Dream Sequence4:506Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 2: Ténèbres: Interlude1:317Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 2: Ténèbres: Adriana, ouvre‐moi!3:358Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 2: Ténèbres: La guerre se répandra partout4:429Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 2: Ténèbres: Interlude: Rape of Adriana1:2710Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 3: Deux cœurs: Interlude3:3111Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 3: Deux cœurs: A toi, Adriana, je ne reproche rien2:4512Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 3: Deux cœurs: Refka’s Dream: C’était encore la guerre7:4113Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 3: Deux cœurs: A présent, je vais être hantée3:2014Adriana Mater, Act I Tableau 3: Deux cœurs: Je sens seulement, je sens un coeur5:2015Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 4: Aveux: Quelqu’un ici pourrait me dire quel est mon nom?3:2416Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 4: Aveux: A te voir si ému5:1517Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 4: Aveux: Il s’appelait bien Tsargo, cet homme?2:5518Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 4: Aveux: Et lui, l’autre, celui qui n’est pas mort4:3319Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 4: Aveux: Interlude: Yonas’s Dream0:5320Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 5: Rages: Adriana! Ah, c’est toi, Yonas4:0721Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 5: Rages: Interlude1:0722Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 5: Rages: Dis‐nous, Refka1:0323Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 5: Rages: Tu ne bouges pas! Tu le laisses fuir2:3924Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 6: Duel: Je cherche l’homme nommé Tsargo4:4025Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 6: Duel: Si elle n’avait pas été aussi méprisante3:5926Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 6: Duel: Avant que tu meures4:1627Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 6: Duel: Tu voudrais mourir sans avoir jamais vu ton fils?2:4928Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: Introduction: Cette maudite nuit2:2029Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: La douleur a posé un masque sur mon visage2:0930Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: Tant d’événements se sont produits4:1631Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: Autrefois, la nuit était ma territoire3:2132Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: J’aurais dû prendre ma soeur sous mon aile1:2233Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: J’aurais dû le tuer2:0034Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: J’ai toujours cru que la nouvelle de sa mort3:1335Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: Mère, pardonne‐moi, je t’ai trahie3:1736Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: Cet homme méritait de mourir3:4237Adriana Mater, Act II Tableau 7: Adriana: Si tu étais vraiment le fils de cet homme5:062025 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 55:50
1Prélude7:282Arabesques et adages6:583Fall7:114Delicato3:145Im Traume10:186Ballade5:507Monkey Fingers, Velvet Hands3:448Jardin secret II11:072026 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 58:13
1I Am a River14:152Lumen valosta2:563Nej och inte: I. Jag vill inte tala…0:594Nej och inte: II. Och du gick, flög…1:075Nej och inte: III. Nej, vi fick ej…1:186Suomenkielinen sekakuorokappale9:237Kesäpäivä: No. 1, Hetki. Aamutuima2:228Kesäpäivä: No. 2, Hetki. Työ1:569Kesäpäivä: No. 3, Hetki. Kaipausaika3:0110Kesäpäivä: No. 4, Hetki. Mystinen Aika3:2111Kesäpäivä: No. 5, Hetki. Yön sarastus3:4212Nächtliche Gesänge: I. Nachts, wenn das Pendel der Liebe schwingt…9:4313Nächtliche Gesänge: II. Zärtliche Nacht4:10Saarikoski Songs / Vista / Three Preludes
2026 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 53:19
1Saarikoski Songs: Luonnon kasvot5:372Saarikoski Songs: Jokaisella on tämänsä3:263Saarikoski Songs: Kaikki tämä2:594Saarikoski Songs: Minussa lintu ja käärme2:005Saarikoski Songs: Sumun läpi6:386Vista: I. Horizons15:297Vista: II. Targets10:518Three Preludes: I.2:259Three Preludes: II.2:2310Three Preludes: III.1:31
Album · 5
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Meet the Composer: Kaija SaariahoSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 7 tracks · 1:46:02Disc 1 1Verblendungen13:14 2Lichtbogen15:01 3Io16:52 4Stilleben22:09 Disc 21Jardin Secret II11:00 2Petals8:15 3Lichtbogen19:31 | Compilation | 2 August 1999 | |
| 2007 | Helsinki RecitalSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 22 tracks · 1:16:351[applause]0:15 2L'Invitation au voyage4:27 3Romance de Mignon4:11 4Au pays où se fait la guerre5:35 5Chanson triste3:30 6Phidylé6:03 7Quatre Instants: Attente5:10 8Quatre Instants: Douleur6:07 9Quatre Instants: Parfum de l'instant3:41 10Quatre Instants: Résonances7:01 11Ne poi, krasavitsa, op. 4/44:40 12Sumerki, op. 21/32:06 13Otrivok iz A. Myusse, op. 21/62:00 14Muza, op. 34/14:10 15Kakoye stšastje, op. 34/122:22 16Cigánské melodie, op. 55: Má píseň zas mi láskou zni2:44 17Cigánské melodie, op. 55: Aj! Kterak trojhranec můj1:19 18Cigánské melodie, op. 55: A les je tichý kolem kol3:12 19Cigánské melodie, op. 55: Struna naladéna1:19 20Cigánské melodie, op. 55: Široké rukávy a siroké gaté1:32 21Cigánské melodie, op. 55: Když mne stará matka2:46 22Cigánské melodie, op. 55: Dejte klec jestřábu2:25 | Live | 2007 | |
| 2012 | Works for OrchestraSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 36 tracks · 4:21:22Disc 1 1Lichtbogen16:44 2Grammaire des rêves14:42 3Du cristal16:46 4...à la fumée21:13 Disc 21Caliban's Dream3:42 2Solar17:11 3Graal théâtre: I. Delicato18:25 4Graal théâtre: II. Impetuoso11:28 5Miranda's Lament4:43 Disc 31Oltra mar: I. Départ4:38 2Oltra mar: II. Amour3:05 3Oltra mar: III. Vagues2:18 4Oltra mar: IV. Temps3:39 5Oltra mar: V. Souvenir de vagues1:10 6Oltra mar: VI. Mort (In Memory of Gérard Grisey)3:38 7Oltra mar: VII. Arrivée3:35 8Nymphéa Reflection: I. Sostenuto3:32 9Nymphéa Reflection: II. Feroce3:38 10Nymphéa Reflection: III. Dolcissimo4:15 11Nymphéa Reflection: IV. Lent espressivo3:17 12Nymphéa Reflection: V. Furioso3:56 13Nymphéa Reflection: VI. Misterioso3:12 14Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: I. Outremer6:24 15Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: II. Songe5:05 16Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: III. L'Amour de loin7:25 17Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: IV. Si la mort pouvait attendre5:32 18Cinq reflets de L'Amour de loin: V. Vers toi qui es si loin5:01 Disc 41Orion: I. Memento mori6:58 2Orion: II. Winter Sky9:28 3Orion: III. Hunter5:36 4Notes on Light: I. Translucent, Secret4:56 5Notes on Light: II. On Fire3:12 6Notes on Light: III. Awakening7:52 7Notes on Light: IV. Eclipse4:22 8Notes on Light: V. Heart of Light7:13 9Mirage13:31 | Compilation | February 2012 | |
| 2019 | True Fire / Trans / Ciel d'hiverSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks · 1:00:161True Fire: I. Proposition I3:13 2True Fire: II. River5:14 3True Fire: III. Proposition II2:52 4True Fire: IV. Lullaby5:07 5True Fire: V. Farewell8:40 6True Fire: VI. Proposition III2:13 7Ciel d'hiver9:44 8Trans: I. Fugitif6:43 9Trans: II. Vanité7:32 10Trans: III. Messager8:58 | Live | 10 May 2019 | |
| 2023 | Kaija Saariaho: 70 YearsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 21 tracks · 2:39:061Ciel d'hiver (After "Orion" Movement II)9:44 2Laterna Magica23:50 3True Fire: II. River (live)5:14 4Petals8:46 5Graal Theatre: I. Delicato (version for Violin and Chamber Orchestra)18:25 6Graal Theatre: II. Impetuoso (version for Violin and Chamber Orchestra)11:28 7Maa: VI. Fall5:25 8Leino Songs: No. 1. Looking at You3:02 9Notes on Light: II. On fire3:12 10Neiges: V. Fleurs de neige (version for String Quartet)4:17 11Émilie Suite: I. Pressentiments8:13 12Cloud Trio: II. Sempre dolce, ma energico, sempre a tempo3:47 13La passion de Simone: Station 1, Simone, grande sœur3:19 14La passion de Simone: Final Station, Par ta mort, tout ce que tu avais dit6:33 15Tocar (version for Flute & Harp)7:29 165 Reflets de l'amour de loin: No. 3. L'amour de loin (O Distant Love) [5 Reflections on Love From Afar]7:25 174 Instants: No. 1. Longing (live)5:10 184 Instants: No. 2. Torment (live)6:07 194 Instants: No. 3. Parfum de l'instant (live)3:41 204 Instants: No. 4. Echoes (live)7:01 21Orion: I. Memento mori6:58 | Compilation | 6 January 2023 |
Broadcast · 1
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sakari Oramo conducts Saariaho and MahlerSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 1:46:241Sakari Oramo conducts Saariaho and Mahler1:46:24 | 20 February 2026 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Kaija Saariaho head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 36 | 93.2th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 50 | 94.3th |
| Studio albums | 44 | 99.1th |
| Awards recorded | 21 | 99.6th |
| Timeline events | 65 | 99.3th |
| Recording span (years) | 38 | 78th |
| Genres | 11 | 97.2th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres | won | |
| 1997 | Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres | won | |
| 2000 | Stoeger Prize | won | |
| 2001 | Rolf Schock Prize in Musical Arts | won | |
| 2003 | Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition | won | |
| 2003 | Grawemeyer Awards | won | |
| 2003 | doctor honoris causa of the University of Helsinki | won | |
| 2003 | doctor honoris causa of the University of Turku | won | |
| 2005 | Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland | won | |
| 2006 | Knight of the National Order of Merit | won | |
| 2009 | Wihuri Sibelius Prize | won | |
| 2011 | Léonie Sonning Music Prize | won | |
| 2013 | Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres | won | |
| 2013 | Polar Music Prize | won | |
| 2015 | honorary doctorate of the Bordeaux Montaigne University | won | |
| 2017 | BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award | won | |
| 2017 | Commander First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland | won | |
| 2018 | Officer of the National Order of Merit | won | |
| 2019 | Finnish Music Hall of Fame | lifetime | |
| — | Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | won | |
| — | Honorary Member of the International Society for Contemporary Music | won |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaija_Saariaho_in_2022.pngaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/456596a9-1d4f-4b47-b4e0-ac402ca672b0discography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/456596a9-1d4f-4b47-b4e0-ac402ca672b0core—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q241432genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q241432seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaija_Saariahobiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaija_Saariahobiography—wikipedia-fi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaija_Saariaho
Why this artist is in the database
- List of composers by name
Tier rule: historic figure (36 language versions, career ended)
Image: Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q241432 · MusicBrainz: 456596a9-1d4f-4b47-b4e0-ac402ca672b0
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