Outi Tarkiainen

Beaivi

Beaivi is inspired by the Sami poet Nils-Aslak Valkeapää's poem 'When that time approaches', where the first encounter with light after the lengthy polar night is described with exceptional significance. The word beaivi comes from the northern Sami language meaning sun or day. The play of light - its dawn, a brief shimmering before darkening again - are characterized throughout the textures and timbres of the piece. Beaivi is dedicated to the Danish chamber music ensemble Lydenskab, who also commissioned the work. 'When that time approaches I notice how frequently I ski higher than necessary and when I finally see the peaks turn red I am not ashamed to admit that I go to a high placein order to see the sun' -Nils-Aslak Valkeapää. English translation by Ralph Salisbury. Parts are available: WH32985A