Renowned Composer Kaija Saariaho Passes Away at 70 After Battle with Brain Tumor

Renowned Composer Kaija Saariaho Passes Away at 70 After Battling Brain Tumor

Kaija Saariaho, a highly acclaimed composer whose groundbreaking works established her as one of the most prominent musical voices of the 21st century, passed away on Friday at the age of 70. The sad news was shared by her family through a statement on her Facebook page, revealing that Saariaho died at her residence in Paris. In February 2021, she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain tumor.

According to the family’s statement, the multiplying tumors had minimal impact on Saariaho’s cognitive abilities until the final stages of her illness. She had undergone experimental treatment at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris while maintaining a private approach to her condition, as advised by her physician, in order to stay positive and focused on her artistic endeavors. The family acknowledged that her appearances using a wheelchair or cane had raised questions, to which she cryptically responded.

Saariaho gained international recognition with her composition “L’Amour de Loin (Love from Afar),” which premiered at the Salzburg Festival in 2000 and later made its debut in the United States at the Santa Fe Opera in 2002. In a historic moment for female composers, her work became the first staged production by a woman to grace the Metropolitan Opera since Ethel M. Smyth’s “Der Wald” in 1903.

Peter Gelb, the general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, hailed Saariaho as a truly exceptional artist whose music possessed a profound impact on both the intellect and emotions of listeners. He lauded her as one of the most original voices in contemporary music, capable of deeply moving people’s hearts.

Saariaho, however, expressed her preference not to be labeled as a “female composer,” but rather as a woman who happened to be a composer. In an interview with The Big Big News, she emphasized her desire to avoid discussions centered solely on gender and believed it to be an irrelevant distinction.

Born on October 14, 1952, in Helsinki, Saariaho pursued her studies at the Sibelius Academy and the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg. In the 1970s, she co-founded a Finnish group called “Korvat auki” (Ears Open) as a response to the closed atmosphere surrounding contemporary music in Finland at the time.

Saariaho’s career took a significant turn when she joined Paris’ Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music (IRCAM) in 1982, an institution founded by Pierre Boulez in the 1970s that focused on contemporary music and electronic experimentation. Incorporating electronics into her compositions, Saariaho explored spatialization as an integral element, emphasizing the organic connection between material, form, and sound.

Inspired by a performance of Messiaen’s “St. Francois d’Assise” at the Salzburg Festival in 1992, Saariaho embarked on creating “L’Amour de Loin.” Her subsequent works, such as “Adriana Mater” premiered in 2006 at the Opéra Bastille, and “Émilie,” which debuted in 2010 at the Lyon Opéra, further solidified her artistic prowess.

Recently, Saariaho unveiled her latest opera, “Innocence,” at the 2021 Aix-en-Provence Festival. Addressing the issue of gun violence, the production received critical acclaim and is set to be staged at the Metropolitan Opera in the 2025-26 season. Reviewing the opera, Zachary Woolfe of The New York Times praised Saariaho’s mature craftsmanship, which allowed her to focus on storytelling and illuminating characters.

Throughout her career, Saariaho received numerous accolades, including the University of Louisville’s Grawemeyer Award in 2003 and being named Musical America’s Musician of the Year in 2008. Her Grammy-winning recording of “L’Amour de Loin” conducted by Kent Nagano further solidified her reputation as a trailblazing composer.

Saariaho’s final composition, a trumpet concerto titled “HUSH,” is scheduled to premiere in Helsinki on August 24, with Susanna Mälkki leading the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

The announcement of Saariaho’s passing was made by her husband, composer Jean-Baptiste Barrière, and her children, Aleksi Barrière, a writer, and Aliisa Neige Barrière, a conductor and violinist. The world has lost a true musical visionary, leaving behind an enduring legacy of innovative and emotive compositions.

FAQ about composer Kaija Saariaho

More about composer Kaija Saariaho

• Kaija Saariaho – Official Website
• Kaija Saariaho – Wikipedia
• Metropolitan Opera – Kaija Saariaho
• Salzburg Festival – Kaija Saariaho