Pertti Jalava - And I Left the Door Open (2023)

Pertti Jalava (b. 1960) has composed e.g. six symphonies, several concertos with orchestral accompaniment, some works for choir and a large production of chamber music. He has also composed a lot of music for big bands and for his own bands, where he has worked as a drummer and keyboardist. Jalava has won several prizes in national and international composition competitions. Most recently, the city of Kotka prize in the international Uuno Klami composition competition 2019, for the work: Concerto for viola and orchestra. In addition to Finland, his works have been performed in Poland, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Holland, Belgium, Serbia and the USA (New York, North Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Washington).
Although Jalava stylistically keeps the two main areas of his music (jazz / chamber and orchestral music) separate without entering into the so-called for the cross-over, he lets the influences move in both directions, and many common features can be observed in them: the important role of rhythm and melody, polyphony, pictorial narrative and abundance of events. Rhythm plays an important role in Jalava's music. It is often motoric and often asymmetrical. On the other hand, contemplativeness or some sort of floating loose atmosphere is also characteristic of his music. Jalava has aligned narrative and emotional expression as the goals of his music, which is why he has often been characterized as a lyricist. He also does not underestimate the salt of life and music, humor.

Pertti Jalava (b. 1960) has composed e.g. six symphonies, several Concertos with orchestral accompaniment, some choral works and a large production of chamber music. He has also composed a lot of music for the big band and his own jazz ensemble, in which he plays the drums and keyboard.
Jalava has won several prizes in national and international composition competitions. Most recently, the city of Kotka Prize in the international Uuno Klami composition competition 2019, for the work: Concerto for viola and orchestra.
Works by Jalava have been performed in Finland, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Serbia and USA (New York, North-Carolina, Virginia, Texas and Washington).
Although stylistically he keeps his two main genres (jazz / chamber and orchestral music) separate, without engaging in crossover, he does allow influences to travel between the two and they have many features in common: the important role assigned to rhythm and melody, Polyphony , picturesque narrative and richness of events.
Rhythm occupies a major role in Jalava's music. It is often motor-like and frequently asymmetric. Yet a Meditative quality, or a kind of floating, Carefree mood is also characteristic of his music.
Jalava has aligned narrative and emotional expression as the goals of his music, which is why he has often been characterized as a lyricist. He also does not underestimate the salt of life and music, humor.