Ikons

The third of Rautavaara's early piano compositions is the suite Ikonit (Icons; 1955), in which his style takes on greater variety. The most traditionally Neoclassical movements are 'Kaksi maalaispyhimystä' (Two Country Saints), which harks back to the Pelimannit style, and the fast-moving finale 'Arkkienkeli Mikael kukistaa Antikristuksen' (Archangel Michael defeats the Antichrist). Another dimension in this music is Orthodox mysticism, which breaks forth in the opening section 'Jumaläidin kuolema' (The Death of the Mother of God).