With Kalevi Aho's growing set of Solos for each of the orchestral instruments reaching its 17th edition (for clavichord and dedicated to flutist and clavichordist Michael Hasel) in 2020, this inaugural volume of BIS' survey of these works, which spans nearly three decades, is very welcome. Four of the present recordings have been released previously, and four feature the dedicatee performing. Following on Aho's concertos for all the orchestral instruments, these solos do much to test the abilities of the player with ...
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With Kalevi Aho's growing set of Solos for each of the orchestral instruments reaching its 17th edition (for clavichord and dedicated to flutist and clavichordist Michael Hasel) in 2020, this inaugural volume of BIS' survey of these works, which spans nearly three decades, is very welcome. Four of the present recordings have been released previously, and four feature the dedicatee performing. Following on Aho's concertos for all the orchestral instruments, these solos do much to test the abilities of the player with extended techniques and harmonics. The works, several written as competition test pieces, not only offer the performers room to grow as artists, they give the musicians a chance to show off their personality. These extended techniques and individuality are on full display in the Solo V for bassoon: Bram van Sambeek, who has made a reputation for adventurous programming, offers more than technical ability as he conquers the extremes of the instrument. The earliest work here, Solo III...
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