Virpi Raisanen - Trasparente (2020)

Trasparente is a release of works composed for Virpi Räisänen as a violinist-singer. The pieces have either been adapted for her in this dual role or been composed earlier, but previously never recorded playing and singing at the same time. This Virpi’s virtuoso way of performing has become known as the Viulaja project. The original source of inspiration for this recording was Gustav Holst’s Four Songs for Voice and Violin Op. 35, a piece originally intended to be performed by one person, a violinist-singer. Prior to this recording, this relatively well-known work has always been performed and recorded by two musicians, as a chamber music piece for a violinist and a singer. All the songs were recorded with her simultaneously playing and singing at Renswoude Church, The Netherlands in 2010 and 2017. A few sound effects were later added to the songs Sophia - Hokma and On Home.