“It is with great sadness that we mourn the death of Kaija Saariaho, the brilliant Finnish composer who graced DACAMERA with her presence twice, and who wrote at our commission the powerful chamber work, Sombre, inspired by and premiered at Rothko Chapel. A composer of infinite imagination whose music explored deep questions of life, Kaija created a fragile and sensual sound world with colors and textures unique to her. Kaija was a person of grace and profound intelligence whose sensitivity to the spiritual world permeates her music. We join the international community of musicians, colleagues and friends who are grieved by this terrible loss and are grateful for the music that Kaija Saariaho has left us.” — Artistic Director Sarah Rothenberg
Pictured: Kaija Saariaho (third from right) at the world premiere of the DACAMERA-commissioned Sombre in 2013. Also pictured, left to right: Paul Ellison, Matthew Strauss, Peter Sellars, Sarah Rothenberg, Camilla Hoitenga, Bridget Kibbey and Daniel Belcher.
Watch Kaija Saariaho and Sarah Rothenberg in conversation
