Profile reviews
2Anu Komsi renders the vocal line like a cool ribbon of mist that lets through varying degrees of light. Kaija Saariaho: Sua Katselen , Ondine Records
The world premiere of a new orchestration of Magnus Lindberg’s Accused for soprano and chamber orchestra was tougher, but unforgettable. It sets interrogation transcripts of three historic political trials – as Oramo said in his introduction, “if you want a piece that is really relevant to today, this is it”. Its textures mesmerise: moments of orchestral voluptuousness alternate with delicate near-silence, double-reeds gossip nastily, open-stringed violas join forces with low woodwind in passages of gritty darkness. The gleaming steel of Anu Komsi’s soprano cut through all of it, fearlessly communicative and utterly compelling, from the whispered bottom of her voice to its stratospheric top.
