Alto flute
Baroque
Classical
Romantic
20th century
21st century
Solo repertoire
Piccolo
Alto flute
Bass flute
Aho Kalevi
Aho, Kalevi
Erb, Donald
Garrop, Stacy
Harberg, Amanda
Jolivet, André
Lavista, Mario
Meltzer, Harold
Pärt, Arvo
Persichetti, Vincent
Rosaz, Jean-Christophe
Rotaru, Doina
Saariaho, Kaija
Vasks, Pēteris
Voglar, Črt Sojar
Wilder, Alec
Yun, Isang
Concerto for Alto Flute and Strings
Concerto for Alto Flute and Strings
Kalevi Aho: Concerto for Alto Flute and Strings was written in 2021 and dedicated to Romanian flutist Matei Ioachimescu, who initiated the commission and premiered it in Skopje in March 2022.
The concerto is written for the alto flute's "soft, mellow tone" with strings alone, rather than a full orchestra, creating a more intimate and atmospheric sound world. The six continuous movements feature lyrical and dramatic episodes, and the soloist is occasionally required to switch to the bass flute, adding a "mystical dimension" to the music, characteristic of Aho's ability to explore specific instrumental colors and "instrumental drama".
By 2014, Aho's extensive oeuvre already included fifteen symphonies and twenty concertos. The Alto Flute Concerto is one of many specialized concertos he composed around this time, including a Concerto for Recorder and Chamber Orchestra (2020) and a Concerto for Piccolo Clarinet and Orchestra (2021).
Erkki Lasonpalo (conductor), St Michel Strings, 2025, BIS Records / PLATOON
1. Misterioso
Erkki Lasonpalo (conductor), St Michel Strings, 2025, BIS Records / PLATOON
2. Allegro Molto
Erkki Lasonpalo (conductor), St Michel Strings, 2025, BIS Records / PLATOON
3. Interludio. Capriccioso
Erkki Lasonpalo (conductor), St Michel Strings, 2025, BIS Records / PLATOON
4. Allegro
Erkki Lasonpalo (conductor), St Michel Strings, 2025, BIS Records / PLATOON
5. Furioso
Erkki Lasonpalo (conductor), St Michel Strings, 2025, BIS Records / PLATOON
6. Epilogue
Aho Kalevi
Kalevi Aho (1949) is a renowned Finnish composer, primarily known for his large-scale orchestral and operatic works.
Born in Forssa, Finland, Aho began playing the violin and composing at a young age. He studied composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki under the notable Einojuhani Rautavaara, earning his diploma in 1971. He further honed his skills with Boris Blacher in Berlin.
Aho's music is known for its wide emotional range, dramatic intensity, and imaginative use of instrumental color. He avoids rigid adherence to specific compositional dogmas, embracing a "dramatic-abstract" approach where musical form often follows a narrative or dramatic logic.
He has written 18 symphonies, 40 concertos for a wide range of instruments, including alto flute, tuba contrabasson, and theremin.
Aho held teaching positions at the University of Helsinki from 1974 to 1988 and served as a professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy from 1988 to 1993. Since 1993, he has worked as a full-time freelance composer supported by a state scholarship.