Kaija Saariaho, the North Star always shines

2023-06-04 16:00:00

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The Finnish composer died in Paris, aged 70, surrounded by her family, following cancer. It is a great loss for the music.

Par Olivier Bellamy

The great Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho died in Paris at the age of 70.
© EMMI KORHONEN / Newspaper photo / AFP

Published on 06/04/2023 at 4:00 p.m.

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GMusical genius and wonderful woman, Kaija Saariaho had a knack for attracting sympathy. Her voice was very soft and beautiful. His stare, intense. She put all her energy into answering the most innocuous question. In fact, nothing was insignificant for her, especially not what came from the other, whom she listened to with benevolent attention and flawless righteousness.

His music is in his image. Elegant, blooming, soft and deep, very sensitive, with a rich inner life, like a beautiful shimmering and calm lake in a volcano with bubbling abyss.

What is a great composer? Someone who has found his own language to say something universal that could not be said by someone else and that we want to listen to. This was the case of Kaija Saariah…

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