Rautavaara Russia Rasputin

A new DVD by the Finish composer

Revolutions always make for a good literary subject, be it for a novel or an opera. Einojuhani Rautavaara furthermore found the idea of basing his latest piece on the character of Rasputin convenient, as there was no tedious explaining to do over what the story was about. For all those who admit actually being unaware of the details, here's a short summary: Rasputin was a monk who had a strong influence on the Tsar and his closest friend Anya Vyrubova (whom he later supposedly saved from certain death). He had the reputation of both being a true saint and a villain exploiting his position (e.g. by having affairs with many of the court's ladies). He was killed by Prince Felix Felixovich Yussupov in 1916, at the eve of the Russian Revolution. It was more than simplicity, however, that attracted Rautavaara to the story, if you ask us. The Finish composer has for all his life been torn between two poles: Modernism and Romanticism. His most famous remark is: "If an artist is not a Modernist when he is young, he has no heart. And if he is a Modernist when he is old, he has no brain" This inner conflict is a perfect representation of a country in the midst of a revolution, unsure about where to go next.

"Rasputin", the opera, portraits the last moments in his life and has now been released by Ondine. The grandious production by the Finish National Opera is acompanied by an excellent cast of Finish singers and features subtitles in English, German and French for all those of you who find Helsinki difficult enough to pronounce.

Homepage: Ondine
Homepage: Einijuhani Rautavaara at Virtual Finland
Homepage: A short biography of Rasputin
Homepage: Note-1 Distribution