Kiinalaisia lauluja ("Chinese songs") (1997) reveals Aho the sensual lyricist. The texts are Chinese love songs by three poets (translated into Finnish by Pertti Nieminen). According to Aho this work aspires to "the intolerable lighness of life and existence" - a phrase that captures perfectly the delicacy and passion charged in each song.

This product is an arrangement for soprano and piano by Hannu Bister.

Contents and original lyricists:
1. Punainen aurinko (Li Yü)
2. Miten taipuisa (Cho Wen-chün)
3. Kultainen lintuhiusneula (Li Yü)
4. Yöllä, aivan päihdyksissä (Li Ch'iang-chao)
5. Syksyn tuuli (Li Yü)
6. Lumen keskellä kevään viesti (Li Ch'iang-chao)

Duration: 20'

The original version for soprano and orchestra is available for hire from the publisher. The instrumentation:
2(II=afl)2(II=ca)2(II=bcl)1-2211-01-hp-str
Percussion: Timpani, 5 Tom-toms, Tamburino, Piatti a2, Piatto sospeso, Tamtam, Vibrafono, Campane tubolare