Born on 21st September 1948 in Finland and domiciled in Sweden since 1955. He studied mathematics and musicology, gaining his B.A. in 1972. He graduated as a guitarist from the Vienna Concervatory in 1975. He then studied composition with Gunnar Bucht at the State Academy of Music in Stockholm, 1977-1980.
Rekola’s listed output includes three symphonies, conceived on a grand scale and typical of his working approach. One observes, for example, his effort to achieve expressiveness by rapid alternations of tempo, abrupt changes of strength and dynamics and vividly contrasting textures. From vehement outbursts he glides into a milder atmosphere, from calmly suspended chords he shifts to a distinctly rhythmic beat, and so on.
His tonal language appears to draw on several styles. It includes expressive gestures which can put one in mind of the expressionist Schönberg or a primitive force which comes close to Stravinsky and his “Rite of Spring“. But these influences merge into a chequered tonal language which is typical of Rekola. H-GP