Mysterium

Scored for piano left hand and string quartet, Kalevi Aho's Mysterium (2019) consists of four movements performed without a break. Aho had earlier come across the sketches for what was to be the last, unfinished work, Mysterium, by Alexander Scriabin. These fragmentary sketches inspired him to write this piano quintet dedicated to its commissioner, pianist Izumi Tateno. It is founded throughout on six-part Scriabin-like harmonies that also served as a basis for the melodic material. The first movement (Misterioso) is, as its name suggests, shadowy, mysterious in mood. The dynamic, quick second movement (Vivace) proceeds in quintuple 10/16 and 15/16 rhythms. The third movement (Adagio, misterioso) is again slow and dreamy, before arriving at the finale (Moderato) beginning in 11/16 time. The finale draws all the quintet's musical material together, and the work finally fades on mysterious Scriabin harmonies.