Kaija Saariaho, a survivor of domestic violence

Kaija Saariaho, a survivor of domestic violence

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

October 14, 2022

A Finnish biography of the composer, published today on her 70th birthday, exposes her childhood as the abused child of a violent, millionaire father and a terrified alcoholic mother.

The first review, by Vesa Siren, paints a gruelling picture. The combination of wealth and abuse is especially toxic. When Saariaho inherited her father’s estate, she gave a million euros to the Helsinki concert hall for an organ, by way of expiation.

Much of her adult life she has been contentedly married to the French musicians Jean-Baptiste Barrière.

We wish Kaija the happiest of 70th birthdays.

Comments

  • Sorin braun says:

    Worthless noise , can’t call her compositions music

  • trumpetherald says:

    Happy birthday,a long life and good health!!!And many more creative years!

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