Aho, Kalevi: Double Concerto

Almost every time the orchestra has a double concerto for flute and harp on its program, it plays a work from Mozart's early years. Flutist Marina Piccinini and harpist Anneleen Lenaerts wanted something more and asked Kalevi Aho for a different kind of double concerto that would bring out the possibilities of solo instruments more broadly. The solo instruments in Double concerto for flute, harp and orchestra (2020) are like independent personalities that complement and support each other. Often one of the solo instruments is more dominant than the other, but there is no real competition or confrontation between them. The half-hour concerto has four movements. The first movement (Tranquillamente) is like a broad introduction, followed by a fast Vivace movement. It gradually builds to a dramatic rise. The third movement (Andantino) begins calmly, more mysteriously, and the harp dominates the beginning of the movement. Later, this movement also builds to a powerful climax. The finale (Allegretto - Vivace capriccioso) begins with the solo flute's expectant melody. The fast, quite virtuosic Vivace section is rhythmically whimsical and moves in fast quintets.