One of the internationally most well-known Finnish composers, Aulis Sallinen (b. 1935) celebrates his 80th birthday in 2015. As a tribute, Ondine is releasing the complete Chamber Music (I-VIII) series by the composer. The 2 CD set includes virtuosic chamber works performed by, among others, the award-winning Meta4 String Quartet, Jyväskylä Sinfonia, cellist Arto Noras and conductors Ville Matvejeff and Ralf Gothóni, who are also both appearing here as soloists. • Sallinen is well-known as a composer of large scale works, including six operas and eight symphonies. The Chamber Music series written between 1975 and 2009 are fascinating character pieces full of passion, and often written after the completion of larger opera projects. They contain dance-like elements, elements of humour and memorable melodies. They are also revealing Sallinen’s stylistic development in the last four decades. Chamber Music III (The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote) is among the most popular works by Sallinen and often described as a ‘cello concerto’ by various commentators. • Chamber Music VI and VII receive their world premiere recordings, as well as Ralf Gothóni’s adaption of the Chamber Music V for piano and strings (originally for accordion and string orchestra).