The category of Finnish saxophone masterpieces might seem a small one, but saxophonist
Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, along with various backing musicians, is out to convince you otherwise. He does it with a couple of pieces that stand out even among the collection of music occasioned by wind players' predilection for extended technique, mixed in with works of other types. The only piece to address the saxophone's relationship to jazz is Oliver Kohlenberg's O vos Felices (2005), and it's quite an intriguing work; the bass and percussion put the listener on familiar jazz ground, only to be dislodged by the shifting and unusual relationship of the saxophone to the ensemble. Although composer Kirmo Lintinen has a jazz background, it's hard to hear in his elegant and rather formal Quattro Capricci for saxophone quartet. There is a work for saxophone and electronics, Jarmo Sermilä's Contemplation 2, and a 1982 Quartet for flute, saxophone, guitar, and percussion by the only "name" composer on the program, Kalevi Aho. But
Tuomisalo really gets to show his stuff on Perttu Haapanen's Aria, which requires pitch-perfect vocal gestures from the player, closely integrated with the saxophone sounds, and the title track by Sampi Haapamäki, with its brutal journey through the upper register. Advanced classical saxophone players are sure to find something here they like, but they'll need to have reached a high level before taking on the latter two works.