Description

"A mother has to even if she couldn't bear it. She must stay awake even if she was tired. I don't constantly think of my grown-up children. But whenever there is some trouble in their lives, all kinds of thoughts start running through my mind. I suppose it'll be that way until the end of my life."

Minna Leinonen's and Mikko Järvinen's radiophonic work looks into different human destinies: lives of mothers in joy and in sorrow; experiences of giving birth, coping with alcoholism in your family; losing control of your mind; heritage of a grandmother; the meeting of different generations. Stanzas from Finnish national epic Kalevala bring their own to the text which is about continuation and eternity of life.

Manuscript by Mikko Järvinen

Directed and composed by Minna Leinonen

Sound engineering by Jussi Suonikko

Produced by Heikki Valsta

Poems recited by Saara Pakkasvirta

Meeri Pulakka (soprano)

Helmi Laine (child soprano)

Zagros Ensemble: Hanna Kinnunen (fl), Lauri Sallinen (cl), Sami Koskela (perc), Jaana Kärkkäinen (pf), Hannu Vasara (vl), Sami Mäkelä (vcl)

Children's choir "Tinttaralla" of Central Helsinki Music Institute

cond. Sari Norja

http://yle.fi/radio1/musiikki/uusi_musiikki/aiti_-...

The work was Finland's nominee in the Prix Italia contest 2012. It gained a top three position as well as position among recommended works by the jury.

Minna Leinonen

Category

Other

Premiere

Yle Radio 1, Finnish Broadcasting Company, Sept 10, 2012. Fp: Viitasaari Time of Music, 3 July 2012.

Commisioned by / dedications

Commissioned by the Finnish Broadcasting Company.

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