Piet van Bockstal, Lahti Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins, Yutaka Oya - Kalevi Aho: Oboe Concerto, Solo IX, Oboe Sonata (2012)

After my disappointment over the last Aho disc that I reviewed, the one with the Sonata for Two Accordions, I have no reservation in recommending this wonderful disc.
The disc opens with the concerto, a five movement work lasting 31 ½ minutes and is performed by the soloist who gave the works premier in April 2008. The work is one of contrasts with the first movement Lamento sounding quite oriental, with the oboe almost sounding like a muezzin over the top of the orchestra. The remaining four movements are all linked and played without a break, with the second movement Presto being the most driven of the five, with the percussion section being the driving force that underpins the music. The third movement is different in that the solo oboe does not appear at all with two trombones holding sway, while the fourth movement Cadenza is a three and a half minute solo for the oboe. The final movement Andante cantabile-Adagio contains echo's of what has gone before, seeming to bring everything together before making its final statement. This is a wonderful concerto; it made an instant impact on me an impact which deepens with repeated hearings!
Solo IX is a ten minute very demanding and virtuosic piece which is dedicated to the performer. In Kalevi Aho's own excellent booklet notes, he tells us that it is a continuation of his "oboe project" and is to be seen as a companion piece to the concerto and sonata. The player is called on to produce some unique sounds within the piece from every aspect of the instruments register and some quite strange ones too! That being said the work is strangely mesmeric and has the power to hold your attention from the first note to the last!
The final work on the disc is also the earliest, completed in 1985 the 28 minute Oboe Sonata is composed in four movements, although the movements do not have any time signatures. The work opens with the oboe in the ascendancy with the pianos only support being single dotted notes, the pianos role soon grows however, until the work becomes a truly virtuosic partnership, one that contains some beautiful music.
The playing of the Belgian oboist Piet Van Bockstal is virtuosic and excellent throughout, he proves himself to be a wonderful advocate for this music, as do the pianist Yutaka Oya, and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra under the expert leadership of Martyn Brabbins. This disc is a must for all devotees of the Finnish master's music, highly recommended.