Cantus Arcticus
| Cantus Arcticus | |
|---|---|
| Concerto for Birds and Orchestra | |
| by Einojuhani Rautavaara | |
The first seven bars of the first movement | |
| English | Arctic Song |
| Opus | 61 |
| Year | 1972 |
| Period | Contemporary classical |
| Genre | |
| Style | |
| Occasion | First doctoral conferment ceremony of Oulu University |
| Commissioned by | Oulu University |
| Dedication | Urho Kekkonen |
| Published | 1972: Helsinki |
| Publisher | Edition Fazer |
| Duration | c. 18:00 |
| Movements | 3 |
| Scoring | Experimental |
| Instrumental | Orchestra and tape-recorder |
| Premiere | |
| Date | 18 October 1972 |
| Location | Oulu |
| Conductor | Stephen Portman |
| Performers | Oulu Symphony Orchestra |
Cantus Arcticus, also known as Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, is a three-part orchestral work by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara that incorporates tape recordings of birdsong.
Commissioned by Oulu University for its first doctoral conferment ceremony, Cantus Arcticus was premiered in Oulu on 18 October 1972 by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Portman. The score was published the same year. The work is dedicated to Urho Kekkonen, who was president of Finland at the time.: 3
Cantus Arcticus has enjoyed wide popularity.: 200 The reasons cited include the work's resemblance to familiar tonal music; the way it links music with nature by using recorded birdsong; the novelty of combining such recordings with a live orchestra; and its association with an idealised and exoticised version of Finland's culture and landscape.: 255–259 The work's appeal is also shown by its use in other musical contexts, including jazz compositions and film music.: 257