This is a very difficult composition indeed to follow, a mixture of spoken word, song and modernist music celebrating the epic life story of a heroic young Jewish woman in the period leading up to and during the second world war. She died in 1943 having served in the French resistance. It was written on the occasion of Saariaho's 60th birthday.
I could understand why it is written as it is but the music itself is very discordant and jagged and quickly wearing. I gave up after 20 minutes. Not at all involving for me and obviously not a disc to be recommended. Some may like it but it's a gamble for those who have not heard the piece before.
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