Late Finnish Composer's Violin 'Fantasia' Makes '100 Best Songs of 2017'

Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara's 'Fantasia' for violin and orchestra has been listed among NPR's '100 best songs of 2017'

America's National Public Radio has today announced their annual '100 best songs of 2017' list - including American violinist Anne Akiko Meyers' recently released world premiere recording of late Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara's 'Fantasia'.

The only classical work to make the cut this year, the 15 minute rhapsodic melody for solo violin and orchestra is set to be featured across the 900 public-radio-station network - alongside artists Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, Drake, Selena Gomez and Willie Nelson.

Anne Akiko premiered the work earlier this year with conductor Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony and it served as the centerpiece for her 2017 Avie Records 'Fantasia' CD - recorded with conductor Kristjan Järvi and Philharmonia Orchestra.

“This music is incredibly poetic, beautiful, and completely inspires me,” Anne Akiko has told The Violin Channel.

“It is dream-like with exotic, sensuous melodies, riotous color and awesome virtuosity,” she has said.

Einojuhani Rautavaara passed away in July this year - aged 87.

Track previews available now on Amazon and iTunes:

Fantasia |CD|

Anne Akiko Meyers

Kristjan Järvi

Philharmonia Orchestra

Release Date: October 6, 2017

Avie Records