Cantus Arcticus

Cantus Arcticus, also known as Concerto for Birds and Orchestra, is a three-part orchestral work by the Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara that incorporates tape recordings of birdsong. Commissioned by Oulu University for its first doctoral conferment ceremony, Cantus Arcticus was premiered in Oulu on 18 October 1972 by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Portman. The score was published the same year. The work is dedicated to Urho Kekkonen, who was president of Finland at the time.