Technology in Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Sampo Vesa Matteo Piludu University of Helsinki Department of Art Research, Semiotics

Einojuhani Rautavaara Born in 1928 Operas: Kaivos (1957–1958, 1960/1963) Apollo contra Marsyas (1970) Runo 42 "Sammon ryöstö" (1974/1982) Marjatta matala neiti (1975) En dramatisk scen (1975–1976) Thomas (1982–1985) Vincent (1986–1987) Auringon talo (1989–1990) Tietäjien lahja (1993–1994) Aleksis Kivi (1995–1996) Rasputin (2001–2003)

Einojuhani Rautavaara The Myth of Sampo – Sammon ryöstö, 1982 Opera for male voices, based on the epic Kalevala, cantos 42,43 Libretto by E. Rautavaara Part of the Kalevala chorus-trilogy. Other works: Marjatta (1975) and Thomas (1985) Represent the Viking age Tree-solist heroes: Väinämöinen (sage-old shaman), Ilmarinen (sage-smith), Lemminkäinen (sage-warrior, wanton lover boy) Plot: The 3 heroes from Kalevala stole from Pohjola (Northland) the sampo, a mysterious miracle-machine able to give fertility and richness. In the following sea-battle with the witch Louhi, the mistress of Pohjola, the sampo falls in the sea and it breaks into pieces, that fertilize the shores of Kalevala. Sampo = a sort of holy Graal/Grail

Forging the sampo, 1893.

Akseli Gallen-Kallela: Stealing the sampo, 1905

Akseli Gallen-Kallela The defence of the sampo, 1896

Innovative use of chorus and electronic Chorus with different functions: background, oarsmen of the Viking boat, the mist of Pohjola The use of electronic is connected with sampo, considered as a kind of reactor or supercomputer able to produce whatever we programme into it Technology is a panacea for universal well-being, but also an instrument of destruction Technology could be also black magic or Pohjola Sampo is not only creation but also stagnation, degeneration The act of stealing it, by contrast is Viking vitality, energy: adventure for the adventure

Quest vs. Possess The sampo must be found for the very act of seeking it, as the Everest or the Poles As in the Graal story, the most important is the Quest But after the quest, the sampo must be destroyed, if life is to be continued The reason of life is to follow dreams and challenges With a sampo creating all the necessary, life is without meaning Social critic: technology is helpful, but it couldn’t be the ultimate goal of life. If technology substitutes life, is an element of destruction Technology is considered positive when it helps humans to search for new creative solutions and adventures, when is a way to stimulate the eternal search

Archaic and futuristic Male voices and synthesizer Archaic and futuristic Simple and complex Canons in two voices and clusters in twenty or more Tonal mode singing and arbitrary choices of notes made by a random number generator