To the extent that it is known at all outside Finland, Kalervo Tuukkanen’s name may be recognized from an old Finlandia recording of his Sea Symphony and Second Violin Concerto. Those works, and these, show Tuukkanen to be an approachable, conservative composer of freshly melodic music, with a high degree of professional craftsmanship. All of the music here has great charm, and in the substantial, four-movement Serenata giocosa, that charm rises to a high level of beauty. The opening Overture to The Loggers, Tuukkanen’s Op. 1, bustles with high spirited energy, while the remaining pieces (all for string orchestra) belong to that venerable category of works that make terrific quiet listening.
The performances, by the Joensuu City Orchestra, do the music full justice. Hannu Koivula conducts what sound like well prepared interpretations, and the works themselves are never so difficult as to tax the resources of his players. The sound is very bright and up-close–a bit too much so for my taste. I would have preferred to hear the winds better integrated into the ensemble–but on the other hand the string playing has great depth and presence considering the orchestra’s small size. I would be very interested in hearing more of Tuukkanen’s larger works. This attractive release only whets the appetite for more.
