The two-movement work was inspired by the title of a book by Jacques Roubaud and dedicated to Violinist Gidon Kremer whose playing and musicianship also inspired the work.Kaija Saariaho is a contemporary Finnish composer livingand working in Paris and Graal Thé tre is one of her principal works frequently performed in spite of its ferocious virtuosic requirements. Unlike many of her other works Graal Thé tre has no electronic extensions but exploresthe relationship fully between soloist and Orchestra. She gained international renown for her first opera l?Amour du Loin and continues a prolific compositional life with a wide range of international performances.