related works
Steam Engine : for soprano and baroque ensemble / Ville Raasakka
Genre:
Vocal music
Subgenre:
Female choir and instrument(s)
Scoring:
sopr fl h cemb 2vn vla vc
People and Things : for violin and soprano saxophone / Sarah Neutkens
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Mixed ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring:
vn sax-s
Bianco attraverso il nero (Il Nero) : for ensemble / Ángel Arranz
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Mixed ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring:
6vl 3vla 2cl cb
Blip : for bassoon and string quartet / Chiel Meijering
Genre:
Chamber music
Subgenre:
Mixed ensemble (2-12 players)
Scoring:
fg 2vn vla vc
composition
The Moss Slowly Growing : for flute and guitar / Ville Raasakka
Other authors:
Raasakka, Ville
(Composer)
Description:
One of biggest threats to the Finnish ecosystems is the loss of biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity is sometimes simply referred to as loss of nature. According to The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, only 3% of forest areas are oldgrowth forests. Rest of the forests are mainly monoculture forests used for harvesting timber. Instead of forests, these areas should be called tree farms.
Dead and decaying wood is vital for a diverse forest, both for the species and the soil. Every fifth extinction event in Finland is caused by the reason that there are no more dead trees decaying on the forest floor, as all forests in a natural state should have in abundance.
In this composition for flute and guitar commissioned by Duo Hav I am concentrating on the delicate sounds of decaying wood, and the porous sound qualities of the flute and the guitar. I’m looking for a sound that is similar to the sensation of brushing the hand on a fallen, decaying tree. The moss slowly growing on its surface. The sounds and techniques used are developed in collaboration with Marianne Sihvonen and Alvi Joensen. The collaboration with Duo Hav has been exceptionally inspiring.
Ville Raasakka