RÄISÄNEN
Tomi
Louhen Loitsut
(Louhi's Spells, 2012)
Wind Orchestra: 2 flutes, ob, 3 clarinets in Bb, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 4 horns, 4 trumpets in Bb, 3 tenor trombones, baritone, 2 tubas, timpani, percussion (5 players)
Duration 8 min.
Commissioned by the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces
First performance on April 11, 2012, in Lahti, Finland, by the Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces, conducted by Sami Ruusuvuori
Louhi, the mistress of the mythical land of Pohjola, is portrayed in the Kalevala (the national epic of Finland) as a powerful witch with immense magical abilities. She has the capacity to cast spells, change her shape, and even control the Moon and the Sun. In this work, I have depicted Louhi performing her magic. The rich spectral chords illustrate Louhi’s spells at full strength. The tubular bells play a crucial role in this work, reminding us of the coexistence of Christianity and pagan beliefs in medieval Finland. TR, 2012