”Du genomborrade mig is the most extensive of the three works I wrote for the project Earthly Angels: Passion. The text is by Catharina Östman (from anthology Elegi, 1990).
Stylistically the piece has influences from several sources from early Baroque doctrine of rhetoric and affections to contemporary microtonalism. The vocal writing is expressive with a clear focus on Kajsa Dahlbäck’s solistic soprano. The instrumentation of the work consists of four early music instruments, alto saxophone and tape, of which the key instrument is alto saxophone with its characteristically microtonal multiphones, which are extensively explored in the piece.
Du genomborrade mig was commissioned by Vaasa Baroque ry with the support of Svenska Kulturfonden. It was composed in April-October 2022.” (Olli Virtaperko 14.1.2023)
Instrumentation
for 2 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor saxophone, bass viol, harpsichord, Roland C-30, archlute, tape
2023
Press quotes
“Virtaperko's composition "Du genomborrade mig" for Catharina Östman's text was one of the highlights of the evening. The concentrated text seems to have inspired the composer, who makes references to the Baroque theory of affection and rhetorics in the compositions' vocal texture while the instrumental passages reflect the more contemporary sounds. Soprano Suvi Väyrynen ja mezzo-soprano Katariina Heikkilä form together with Kajsa Dahlbäck a delightful trio."
– Per-Håkan Jansson, Vasabladet 28 January 2023