Vaeltaja 32 (Wanderer 32) is a solo work for concert kantele in two contrasting movements. The first movement Risteäviä polkuja (Crossing Paths) is a polymetric study, consisting of several tranquil melody lines in independent tempos. The second movement Ahkera kulkija (Avid Rover) is a straight-forward piece – fast and intense as opposite to first movements’ serenity. Ahkera kulkija takes advantege of the possibility of tuning two kantele strings to unisono and producing a swift unisono tremolo effect. The concept of repetition is an important independent thematical motive of the movement, which searches the balance between static repetitiveness and musical development.
The composer considers Vaeltaja 32 as a piece of program music for its narrative starting point: “Vaeltaja 32 was inspired by my hiking experiences in Finnish Lapland. The first movement Risteäviä polkuja comments the phenomena often seen in the wilderness: several independent paths cross each other every once in a while, eventually leading to the same destiny. Ahkera kulkija, on the other hand, is a portrait of “a busy hiker”, who utilizies those crossing paths primarily as a device to be able to rush as many kilometers in as little time as possible. Being unable – or reluctant – to extract him/herself from the stress of a modern work-based life, “a busy hiker” considers backbacking primarly exercise or performance. The hectic and repetitive music ironically sums up the tragedy of not being able to stop – until it’s too late.”
Instrumentation
for concert kantele
2006
