RÄISÄNEN
Tomi
Louhen Loitsut
(Louhi's Spells, 2012)
Wind Orchestra: 2 fl, 1 ob, 3 cl, 1 b.cl, 1 a.sax, 1 t.sax, 1 b.sax, 4 hn, 4 tpt, 3 tbn, 1 bar, 2 tba, timp, 5 perc
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 described in the Kalevala (the national epic of Finland) as a witch with enormous magical powers. Louhi can cast spells, change her shape and even control the Moon and the Sun. In this work, I have described Louhi doing her magic. The rich spectral chords represent Louhi’s spells at their full strength. The tubular bells have an essential role in this work. They remind us of the co-existence of the Christianity and the pagan beliefs in medieval Finland. TR, 2012