Syrup

by Leevi Räsänen

for symphonic brass

Description

Syrup is distilled from the materials in my third string quartet “maisema, muistuma, enne” (”landscape, flashback, omen”). Originally composed for a multidisciplinary work – Jousikvartetto (String Quartet) – which I created together with artist Anne Naukkarinen, the quartet was premiered in Ruokolahti in the summer of 2025. Its background lies in the stories and experiences of Anne’s family about their family homestead in Ruokolahti.

Many of those memories, feelings, wishes, and fears are distilled into Syrup – reflections of what they evoked in me. Something that remained unsaid with strings, but is now breathed into life.

The music is built on the idea of an “ancient song” (the bass line), symbolized by the branching tree trunk on the cover of the piece. It moves slowly, like syrup, but after flowing for a while, you can notice it has shifted to another place. The name Syrup also hints at a certain sweetness: the piece gives in to emotional, heart-stirring melodies and harmonies, which, when brought to life by the brass instruments, unfold in ecstatic splendor.

Instrumentation

3hn, 3trp, 3trb, barhn, tba

Category

Works for Orchestra or Large Ensemble

Premiere

Brass players of the East Helsinki Music Institute, cond. Teemu Salmi, November 18, 2025, Tapiola hall, Espoo Cultural Centre, Espoo, Finland.

Commisioned by / dedications

Commissioned by the East Helsinki Music Institute.

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Archive number

MF36270

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