Kalevi Aho was born in Forssa, Finland, in 1949. He played the mandolin from a young age, then became proficient on the violin. In 1968 he studied composition in Helsinki under Einojuhani Rautavaara, and later with the German composer Boris Blacher. He is the most prolific contemporary composer of symphonies and concertos in Finland (possibly even all of Europe), having presently written 18 of the former and 43 of the latter. As composer-in-residence with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra from 1992, and currently their composer laureate, most of his orchestral music has been recorded on the BIS label, initially conducted by Osmo Vänskä.

Aho’s symphonies vary in style and specific inspiration. Some feature a solo instrument or instruments, such as violin (No. 3), organ (No. 8), trombone (No. 9) and six percussionists (No. 11). No. 17 for large orchestra, subtitled Symphonic Frescoes, was written in 2017. Lasting just under an hour, it is a genuinely epic work, consisting of two monumental symphonic statements separated by a delightfully sinister scherzo, “Scherzo Macabre”. 

The composer in his note reflects that this major piece came at a...