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Technology in Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Sampo

Technology in Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Sampo. Vesa Matteo Piludu. University of Helsinki Department of Art Research, Semiotics. Einojuhani Rautavaara. Born in 1928 Operas: Kaivos (1957–1958, 1960/1963) Apollo contra Marsyas (1970) Runo 42 "Sammon ryöstö" (1974/1982)

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Technology in Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Sampo

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  1. Technology in Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Sampo Vesa Matteo Piludu University of Helsinki Department of Art Research, Semiotics

  2. Einojuhani Rautavaara • Born in 1928 • Operas: • Kaivos (1957–1958, 1960/1963) • Apollo contra Marsyas (1970) • Runo 42 "Sammon ryöstö" (1974/1982) • Marjatta matala neiti (1975) • En dramatisk scen (1975–1976) • Thomas (1982–1985) • Vincent (1986–1987) • Auringon talo (1989–1990) • Tietäjien lahja (1993–1994) • Aleksis Kivi (1995–1996) • Rasputin (2001–2003)

  3. Einojuhani RautavaaraThe Myth of Sampo – Sammon ryöstö, 1982 • Opera for male voices, based on the epic Kalevala, cantos 42,43 • Libretto by E. Rautavaara • Part of the Kalevala chorus-trilogy. Other works: Marjatta (1975) and Thomas (1985) • Represent the Viking age • Tree-solist heroes: Väinämöinen (sage-old shaman), Ilmarinen(sage-smith), Lemminkäinen (sage-warrior, wanton lover boy) • Plot: The 3 heroes from Kalevala stole from Pohjola (Northland) the sampo, a mysterious miracle-machine able to give fertility and richness. In the following sea-battle with the witch Louhi, the mistress of Pohjola, the sampo falls in the sea and it breaks into pieces, that fertilize the shores of Kalevala. • Sampo = a sort of holy Graal/Grail

  4. Forging the sampo, 1893.

  5. Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Stealing the sampo, 1905

  6. Akseli Gallen-Kallela The defence of the sampo, 1896

  7. Innovative use of chorus and electronic • Chorus with different functions: background, oarsmen of the Viking boat, the mist of Pohjola • The use of electronic is connected with sampo, considered as a kind of reactor or supercomputer able to produce whatever we programme into it • Technology is a panacea for universal well-being, but also an instrument of destruction • Technology could be also black magic or Pohjola • Sampo is not only creation but also stagnation, degeneration • The act of stealing it, by contrast is Viking vitality, energy: adventure for the adventure

  8. Quest vs. Possess • The sampo must be found for the very act of seeking it, as the Everest or the Poles • As in the Graal story, the most important is the Quest • But after the quest, the sampo must be destroyed, if life is to be continued • The reason of life is to follow dreams and challenges • With a sampo creating all the necessary, life is without meaning • Social critic: technology is helpful, but it couldn’t be the ultimate goal of life. If technology substitutes life, is an element of destruction • Technology is considered positive when it helps humans to search for new creative solutions and adventures, when is a way to stimulate the eternal search

  9. Archaic and futuristic • Male voices and synthesizer • Archaic and futuristic • Simple and complex • Canons in two voices and clusters in twenty or more • Tonal mode singing and arbitrary choices of notes made by a random number generator

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