This is a list of compositions by Kaija Saariaho.
Saariaho's compositions were published by Chester Music and Edition Wilhelm Hansen.
Orchestra +TitleYearDurationNotesAsteroid 417920054 min.Chimera20191 min.Ciel d'hiver201310 min.Circle Map201226 min.for orchestra and electronicsDu Cristal198912 min.for orchestra and electronicsForty Heartbeats19983 min.Laterna Magica200820 min.Lumière et Pesanteur20096 min.Nymphéa Reflection200127 min.for string orchestraOrion200222 min.Song for Betty20015 min.Terra Memoria200920 min.string orchestra version of the 2006 string quartetVerblendungen198414 min.for orchestra and tapeVista201925 min.Semafor202014 min.for sinfonietta
Soloist(s) and orchestra
Instrumental TitleYearSoloist(s)DurationNotes...à la Fumée1990alto flute and cello19 min.sequel to Du CristalGraal théâtre1994violin25 min.Aile du songe2001flute18 min.D'Om le Vrai Sens2010clarinet35 min.Maan varjot2013organ15 min.Notes on Light2006cello28 min.Trans2015harp20 min.HUSH2023trumpet25 min.premiered posthumously; written for soloist Verneri Pohjola.
Vocal TitleYearSoloist(s)DurationText writerLanguageNotesAdriana Songs2006mezzo-soprano29 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchCinq reflets de L’Amour de loin2001soprano and baritone30 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchÉmilie Suite2011soprano25 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchLeino Songs2007soprano13 min.Eino LeinoFinnishMirage2007cello and soprano12 min.Maria SabinaEnglish2002soprano23 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchorchestral version of the 2002 art songsTrue Fire2014baritone25 min.Ralph Waldo Emerson, Seamus Heaney, trad. Native American, Mahmoud DarwishEnglishSaarikoski-laulut2020soprano15 min.Pentti SaarikoskiFinnishorchestral version of the 2017 song cycle
Large ensemble (7 or more players) TitleYearInstrumentationDurationNotesAer1991flute, percussion, harp, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, and electronics17 min.Io19872 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo and alto flute), bass flute, 2 horns, trombone, tuba, percussion, harp, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass and electronics17 min.Lichtbogen1986flute (doubling piccolo and alto flute), percussion, harp, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass and electronics17 min.Neiges1998for 8 or 12 cellos15 min.one version available for 8 cellos, one for 12Solar1993flute (doubling piccolo), oboe, clarinet, trumpet, 2 percussionists, harp, 2 pianos, violin, viola, double bass and electronics18 min.
Soloist(s) and large ensemble (7 or more players)
Instrumental TitleYearSoloistEnsemble instrumentationDurationNotesAmers1992cellopiccolo, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, horn, 2 percussionists, harp, 2 keyboards, and electronics20 min.Graal théâtre1997violinflute (doubling piccolo), oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, trumpet, bass trombone, 2 percussionists, harp, piano, 2 violins, viola, cello, and double bass25 min.chamber version of the 1994 orchestra pieceNotes on Light2010celloflute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, 2 percussionists, harp, piano, celesta, 2 violins, viola, cello, and double bass28 min.ensemble version of the 2006 orchestra pieceVers toi qui est si loin2018violinpiccolo, harp (optional), 2 violins, viola, cello, and double bass7 min.adaptation of the final aria of L'Amour de loin
Vocal TitleYearSoloistEnsemble instrumentationDurationText writerLanguageNotesMessage pour Gérard2000mezzo-sopranoalto flute (doubling piccolo), percussion, harp, violin, viola, cello, and double bass4 min.Kaija Saariaho (text collage)FrenchTempest Songbook2004soprano and baritoneoriginal: flute, clarinet, harp, guitar, mandolin, violin, viola, cello, and double bass alternate: recorder, harpsichord, lute, 2 violins, viola, cello, and double bass21 min.ShakespeareEnglishone version for modern instruments, one for period instrumentsVers toi qui est si loin2018sopranopiccolo, harp (optional), 2 violins, viola, cello, and double bass7 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchadaptation of the final aria of L'Amour de loin
Works for 2–6 players TitleYearInstrumentationDurationNotesAure2011violin and viola (or cello)5 min.The Bosun's Cheer2014sprechstimme speaker, flute (or violin), cello, and double bass4 min.one version for modern instruments, one for period instrumentsCalices2009violin and piano10 min.Cendres1998alto flute, piano, and cello10 min.Ciel étoilé1999percussion and double bass5 min.Cloud Trio2009violin, viola, and cello20 min.Concordia2017violin and cello20 min.Figura2016solo clarinet, piano, and string quartet14 min.Gates1991flute, harpsichord, cello, and electronics (optional)10 min.Im Traume1980cello and piano10 min.Je sens un deuxième coeur2003viola, cello, and piano15 min.Light and Matter2014piano, violin, and cello12 min.Light still and moving2016flute and kantele12 min.Mirrors1997flute and cello4 min.New Gates1996flute, harp, and viola12 min.Nymphéa1987string quartet and electronics18 min.Offrande2014organ and cello7 min.Oi Kuu1990bass clarinet (or bass flute) and cello6 min.Serenatas2008piano, cello, and percussion14 min.Terra Memoria2006string quartet20 min.Terrestre2002solo flute, percussion, harp, violin, and cello10 min.Tocar2010violin and piano7 min.Trois Rivières1994percussion quartet and electronics16 min.
Solo works TitleYearInstrumentationDurationNotesArabesques et adages2016piano7 min.Ballade2005piano6 min., 30 sec.Couleurs du vent1998alto flute9 min....de la Terre1991violin and electronics15 min.Dolce Tormento2004piccolo5 min.Dreaming Chaccone (Variation on the Chiacona of Giuseppe Colombi)2010celloDuft2012clarinet10 min.Fall1991harp and electronics5 min.Folia1995double bass and electronics10 min.Frises2011violin and electronics20 min.Jardin Secret II1986harpsichord and electronics11 min.Laconisme de l'aile1982flute and electronics9 min.NoaNoa1992flute and electronics10 min.Nocturne1994violin6 min.Petals1988cello and electronics9 min.Prelude2007piano7 min., 30 sec.Près1992cello and electronics18 min.Sense2016violinSept Papillons2000cello10 min.Six Japanese Gardens1994percussion and electronics19 min.Spins and Spells1997cello7 min.Trois Rivières: Delta2001percussion and electronics16 min.Vent nocturne2006viola and electronics15 min.
Chorus (a cappella and with accompaniment) TitleYearInstrumentationDurationText writerLanguageNotesChâteau de l'âme1996solo soprano, SA chorus, and orchestra22 min.Kaija Saariaho (text collage)FrenchEcho!20072 sopranos, alto, countertenor, 2 tenors, 2 basses, and electronics10 min.Aleksi BarrièreFrenchHorloge, Tais-Tois!2007original: SA chorus and piano alternate: SA chorus, flute, clarinet, basson, percussion, and strings3 min., 30 sec.Aleksi BarrièreFrenchKesäpäivä2011SA chorus and 2 percussionistsAleksi BarrièreNuits, adieux1996SATB chorus10 min.Jacques Roubaud, Honoré de BalzacFrenchchoral version of the 1991 piece for solo voicesOltra mar1999SATB chorus and orchestra22 min.Amin Maalouf, Abou SaidFrenchReconnaissance2020SATB chorus, percussion, and double bass20 min.Aleksi BarrièreTag des Jahrs2001SATB chorus and electronics15 min.Friedrich HölderlinGermanÜberzeugung20013 female voices, violin, cello, and crotale (can be played by one of the singers)2 min.Friedrich HölderlinGermanNej och inte1979female choir a cappella5 min.Gunnar BjörlingSwedishSuomenkielinen sekakuorokappale1979solo soprano, solo baritone, mixed choir9 min.Finnish
Solo voice with up to 6 players TitleYearInstrumentationDurationText writerLanguageNotesAriel's Hail2000soprano, flute, and harp3 min.ShakespeareEnglishDie Aussicht1996 1998original: soprano, flute, guitar, violin, and cello alternate: soprano, flute, piano, and cello4 min.Friedrich HölderlinGermanCaliban's Dream1993 1995original: baritone, clarinet, harp, guitar, mandolin, and double bass alternate: baritone, alto flute, harp, and cello3 min.ShakespeareEnglishpart of The Tempest SongbookChanging Light2002 2005
2019original: soprano and violin alternate: soprano and flute
alternate: baritone and cello6 min.translated from the Hebrew by Rabbi Jules HarlowEnglishFerdinand's Comfort2004soprano, baritone, flute, harp (or piano), violin, cello, and double bass4 min.ShakespeareEnglishpart of The Tempest SongbookFrom the Grammar of Dreams1988 2002original: 2 sopranos alternate: soprano and electronics10 min.Sylvia PlathEnglishGrammaire des Rêves1988soprano, alto, 2 flutes, harp, viola, and cello11 min.Paul Éluard (text collage)Il pleut1986soprano and piano2 min.Guillaume ApollinaireFrenchIltarukous2000soprano and piano3 min.Eino LeinoFinnishLeino Songs2007soprano and piano13 min.Eino LeinoFinnishchamber version of the 2007 piece for soprano and orchestraLonh1996soprano and electronics20 min.Jaufre RudelOld OccitanLuonnon kasvot2013voice and pianoPentti SaarikoskiFinnishMirage2007soprano, cello, and piano12 min.Maria SabinaEnglishMiranda's Lament1997 2000original: soprano, clarinet, harp, viola, and double bass alternate: soprano, flute, harp, violin, andcello6 min.ShakespeareEnglishpart of The Tempest SongbookNuits, adieux1991SATB and electronics10 min.Jacques Roubaud, Honoré de BalzacFrenchProspero's Vision2002 2019original: baritone, clarinet, harp, violin, and double bass alternate: tenor and string quartet5 min.ShakespeareEnglishpart of The Tempest Songbook2002soprano and piano23 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchQuatre Messages19992 sopranos, flute, and harp8 min.Kaija Saariaho (text collage)FrenchSaarikoski-laulut2017soprano and piano11 min.Pentti SaarikoskiFinnishSombre2012voice, bass flute, percussion, harp, and double bass18 min.Ezra PoundEnglishTag des Jahrs20062 sopranos, mezzo-soprano, countertenor, 2 tenors, bass, and electronics15 min.Friedrich HölderlinGermanarranged by Rachid Safir
Opera and musical theatre TitleYearVoicesOrchestra instrumentationDurationLibrettistLanguageNotesAdriana Mater2005mezzo-soprano, soprano, tenor, bass-baritone, and SATB choruslarge orchestra and electronics2 hoursAmin MaaloufFrenchL'Amour de loin2000soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, and SATB choruslarge orchestra and electronics2 hoursAmin MaaloufFrenchÉmilie2008sopranochamber orchestra and electronics1 hour, 20 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchLa Passion de Simone2006soprano solo and SATB chorusorchestra (or chamber orchestra)1 hour, 15 min.Amin MaaloufFrenchone version for large orchestra, one for chamber orchestraInnocence2018soprano, tenor, baritone, and SATB choruslarge orchestra1 hour, 45 min.Sofi Oksanen, translated by Aleksi Barrièremainly English (also Finnish, Czech, French, Romanian, Swedish, German, Spanish, and Greek)Only the Sound Remains2015countertenor, bass-baritone, and SATB ensembleflute (doubling alto flute and bass flute), percussion, kantele, 2 violins, viola, cello, and electronics1 hour, 30 min.inspired by Noh dramas (Always Strong and Feather mantle), translated by Ezra Pound and Ernest FenollosaEnglish
Music for dance TitleYearInstrumentationDurationMaa1991flute, percussion, harp, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, and electronics1 hour, 30 min.
Electronic music TitleYearDurationJardin Secret I198510 min., 48 sec.Stilleben1988
References
Sources "Catalogue". www.wisemusicclassical.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18. "Kaija Saariaho: Works". saariaho.org. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
References