Description:

After Sibelius, Kokkonen was one of the most important Finnish composers of the 20th century. The "Requiem" on this album was composed to mourn the death of his wife, and is soft, gentle, comforting music. The original was written for large orchestra, but this album features an organ accompaniment version arranged by Yoko Rinyama, who was Kokkonen's junior at the Sibelius Academy, and carefully transfers the sounds that Kokkonen described to the organ. The clear melody sung over the quiet organ murmurs has a mystical atmosphere, using the free tonality that Kokkonen loved.