in Reviews

A half an hour of heavenly sound

by Anna Pulkkis

"The combination of flute, viola, and harp creates a heavenly balanced and rich sound, and one regrets that the recording is so short, only a good thirty minutes."

Flutist Erica Nygård, viola player Torsten Tiebout, and harpist Päivi Severeide founded Ensemble Transparent in 2006, inspired by a trio by Debussy. Two of the many new works commissioned by the ensemble – Koralmetamorfoser (2010) by Lars Karlsson and Pages and Footnotes (2010) by Atso Almila – can be heard on the Pilfink recording, together with Mangalam (2005) by Petri Judin.

Karlsson’s work is a coherent whole. The choral theme is present both as fragments in passionate action and in its simple melodic beauty, forming contrapuntal textures. The four-minute Mangalam combines eastern and western influences, with broad melodies creating a contemplative atmosphere.

Pages and Footnotes contrasts with the other works by virtue of the dance-like overall character, imbued with light-hearted impulsiveness. Almila uses the instruments in a versatile manner, but neither he nor the other two composers favour any extended playing techniques.

The combination of flute, viola, and harp creates a heavenly balanced and rich sound, and one regrets that the recording is so short, only a good thirty minutes.  

Finnish music for flute, viola and harp
Ensemble Transparent
Pilfink JJVCD-220