Violin Concerto: A Requiem
Violin and orchestra
Composed:
2023
Watch / listen
Score / parts
Instrumentation and duration
Solo violin and orchestra: 2(pic).2.2(bcl)2./2.2.0.0/perc./Str. (minimum 6.4.4.2.2, preferred: 8.6.6.4.3)
Duration: 26 minutes
Movements
I. De profundis
II. Alcheringa
III. Ad lucem
Commission / dedications
Commissioned by Maria Puusaari with support from Madetoja Foundation and Teosto Commission Fund. Dedicated to Maria Puusaari
Publisher
Edition Wilhelm Hansen / Wise Music Classical
First performance
Maria Puusaari, violin, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Ruut Kiiski, Tampere Biennale Festival, Tampere Hall, Tampere, Finland, April 17, 2026
Composer's Notes
My Violin Concerto is a Requiem to an unborn life. A deeply personal work for me, this concerto draws its inspiration from such profound personal experiences as unwanted infertility, and the experiences and thoughts that arose during this very difficult journey of dealing with unwanted childlessness.
The music progresses from anger and frustration in the first movement, De profundis, to a dreamlike state in the second movement, Alcheringa*, where glimpses of hope emerge, only to disappear again.
In the last movement, Ad lucem, the music embarks on a journey, trying to reach the light, reminding of one's need to hold on to hope.
Violin Concerto: A Requiem was commissioned by Maria Puusaari and is dedicated to her. The commission was made possible with kind support from Madetoja Foundation and Teosto Commission Fund.
*Alcheringa, an Arandic language term, refers to Australian Aboriginal beliefs of Dreaming, Dreamtime, or "Everywhen", a myth of creation and, in a larger context, a concept that embraces past, present and future. Another definition suggests that Dreaming represents how the relationships between people, animals, plants and the land came to be and how they need to be maintained.
It is argued that the term itself is based on a misunderstanding or mistranslation, and that the closer meaning of Alcheringa could be "eternal" or "uncreated".