I. Punainen aurinko (The Red Sun) (Text: Li Yü)

'The Chinese songs - exquisitely delicate, finely chiseled settings of love poetry - wear their orientalisms lightly and naturally; Aho creates an exotic aura through masterful use of instrumental color rather than through tacky excursions into pentatonic clichés. Soprano Tiina Vahevaara sings them very beautifully' (Classics Today).
Gramophone: Editor's Choice. Classics Today 10/10, highest rating: 'The Lahti Symphony under Osmo Vänskä plays this music with the loving care that comes from close, ongoing association with the composer, and the sonics are marvelous. Important, beautiful music, this'.