Zinovjev knows how to make electroacoustics smooth and rough

Composer Sauli Zinovjev (b. 1988) has been making a name for himself with his sonorous, sensitive and detailed orchestral music, but his début EP, rather surprisingly, contains an electroacoustic chamber music work. Written for accordion, cello and live electronics, Sospirando 2 excellently illustrates Zinovjev’s skill and personality as a composer. It is a continuum of five textures with gentle harmonies and sensitive sonorities that are a delight to hear, but sharp cuts, masses of detail underlying surfaces of sound and shifts of character keep the listener alert.

Accordionist Harri Kuusijärvi and cellist Markus Hohti are among Finland’s finest practitioners in the use of live electronics, and accordingly they make a smoothly organic job of combining effects and at times furious electronic beats with acoustic sounds. The marriage of mechanical noises of the instruments with pitched sounds and static harmonies is executed with similar deftness.

Sospirando 2 is not only a compelling work in its own right; it is also a harbinger of good things to come in Zinovjev’s career as a composer: he clearly has an excellent command of collaboration with musicians and an advanced understanding of sound and of drama.

Sauli Zinovjev: Sospirando 2 "Folio"

Harri Kuusijärvi, accordion and live electronics
Markus Hohti, cello and live electronics
Tuukka Tervo, recording and mixing

Sz Publishing SZB001