Salonen’s work YTA 1 For Alto Flute Solo is created on a different scale Altogether from the composer's Orchestral works. Arising from an early ambition to write a large collection of virtuoso solo pieces that would connect toone another YTA 1 calls for the greatest possible artistry of the performer. The piece is scored for the entire range of the Alto Flute making much use of the extremes. YTA meaning ‘surface’ has a relentless driven texture in which Salonen has scored ‘key slaps’ ‘tongue rams’ and ‘kisses’. Esa-Pekka Salonen as conductor and composer has earned the highest standing in the contemporary musical world including his current positions as ConductorLaureate of the Los Angeles Philharmonic of which he was Music Director for seventeen years and as Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor for London’s Philharmonia Orchestra. His pieces Floof and LA Variations have enteredthe modern canon.
