I was going to put this into the Lesser known Russian Composers thread but having just listened with mounting astonishment to this new cd I decided to start a separate Sviridov thread!
I had never heard any Sviridov before tonight. I had read that he was a late exponent of Soviet Socialist Realism in music, that he had written masses of choral music but that there might be a bit more to him than the description on Onno van Rijen's site-
"Sviridov has long represented a restrospective pernicious side of Soviet music. Some love his music because of the intensity of his identification with his chosen models. Others dislike his music for its political implications or for its grotesque naivety and consider his music an appalling example of generalised kitsch."
http://home.wanadoo.nl/ovar/sviridov.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgy_Sviridov
"pernicious" "grotesque" "appalling".....these are pretty strong words!
The disc contains three short Cantatas "Kursk Songs", "The Wooden Russia" and "It's Snowing" for choirs and orchestra, the a capella "Ladoga" and the Suite from the Film "Time Forward".
On the one hand my verdict could be that the music is utter rubbish-naivety elevated almost into an art form, jolly Russian choruses of happy, contented peasant farmers dancing around fields of corn ripening in the summer sunshine or welcoming the pitter patter of snowflakes as winter comes to Mother Russia.....
....but it is also quite infectiously happy music in a sub-Carl Orff sort of way. The folk tunes are pretty, the singing is full of marvellous optimistic enthusiasm. There is none of the nastiness of, say, Tikhon Khrennikov about this music. It is not pretending to a substance which it manifestly lacks. It was probably hugely popular with Russian audiences!
And-the Suite 'Time Forward' is quite, quite extraordinary!! It is like a symphony orchestra meets big band meets rock band meets jazz hilariously over the top riot ;D A sort of Soviet Leonard Bernstein/Elmer Bernstein! It is great fun!!
Surprised-yes. Amused-yes. Is this great music-DEFINITELY not!! Am I going to listen to it again? When I want to be cheered up-most certainly.
(Thanks, Drasko, for the recommendation!)
Ha ha. Nice write up. ;D
I do own two Sviridov pieces! The one Luke posted not so long ago (on the "Soviet" thread, I believe) + one movement from something that supposedly has something to do with Pushkin (on an Olympia sampler disc - where or how I got it, I have no clue). If the Pushkin connection is to be treated seriously, the piece is an abomination. But so are Tchaikovsky's operas. So I choose to disregard the connection and listen to it for what it is, an idiotically naive, no-holds-barred happy romp. Can be very enjoyable, just as long as one remembers to keep to the prescribed doses.
I also happen to own the score of a piano reduction of the Pushkin pieces. It has convinced me that I do not need a recording of the whole thing. :P
Had no idea of Sviridov's political involvement. Hm, sort of puts me off a bit.......
[edit: link (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,8471.msg239152.html#msg239152) to Luke's post]
Oh, to hell with it, I am going to download the last movement of 'Time Forward' so people can get an idea ;D
It is SO hysterically dreadful/good that you just have to hear it for yourselves ;D ;D ;D
Oh, so it's not awful anymore, is it?
(There was a nice pun/typo in there.)
Quote from: Dundonnell on November 21, 2008, 02:41:40 PM
(Thanks, Drasko, for the recommendation!)
Nice to hear Ruslania came through, had no previous expirience with them myself. And I think that is probably the best, and the only Sviridov CD you'll ever need.
Quote from: Dundonnell on November 21, 2008, 03:06:06 PM
Oh, to hell with it, I am going to download the last movement of 'Time Forward' so people can get an idea ;D
That's the same piece Luke already uploaded (if the link still works)
Well..five minutes and it will go up again ;D ;D
Quote from: Maciek on November 21, 2008, 03:10:24 PM
Oh, so it's not awful anymore, is it?
You were not supposed to notice ;D
The sixth and last movement of Sviridov's Suite from the Film "Time Forward"-
http://www.mediafire.com/?gliuyyfgol2
You will either think that this is the worst music ever composed or that it is an absolute hoot ;D
I think that it is both ;D ;D
Quote from: Drasko on November 21, 2008, 03:16:29 PM
Nice to hear Ruslania came through, had no previous expirience with them myself. And I think that is probably the best, and the only Sviridov CD you'll ever need.
That's the same piece Luke already uploaded (if the link still works)
Yes-the disc
did come and VERY quickly ;D :)
I haven't listened to the clip (yet) but I remember reading the novel Time Forward, and I remember it was being the worst soviet era novel I've read-- and there is a lot of competition in that area.
Still, there is a fine line between bad and "guilty pleasure", and I think we all need to walk it from time to time...
Quote from: Drasko on November 21, 2008, 03:16:29 PM
I think that is probably the best, and the only Sviridov CD you'll ever need.
That's a bit harsh - if that grim movement is anything to go by! :)
I've only recently discovered Sviridov myself, but I would say Pushkin's garland shows a more reflective side to Sviridov, some of it quite charming, some quite haunting. I'm listening to a performance conducted by Vladimir Minin on the label 'Talents of Russia' (RCD 13005).
Quote from: Pierre on November 22, 2008, 01:07:46 AM
That's a bit harsh - if that grim movement is anything to go by! :)
No, that particular piece is not really representative of that disc as a whole, it's the most extreme sounding bit there, disc offers nicely wide ranging selection of Sviridov, generaly more upbeat and with few nice tender moments, like
Душа, second part from
It's Snowing.
Listening to the last movement of Time, Forward...
Well, what can I say? Batman Meets the Gotham Fire Department? Country & Eastern? It's terrible but mildly infectious. ;D
Quote from: Jezetha on November 22, 2008, 10:43:02 AM
Listening to the last movement of Time, Forward...
Well, what can I say? Batman Meets the Gotham Fire Department? Country & Eastern? It's terrible but mildly infectious. ;D
Good description ;D
I suppose that both Pierre and Drasko are right in pointing out that it isn't typical of the music on the disc ;D Some of the movements from particular works do have a 'beguiling' charm and show the strong influence of Prokofiev in his more populist works. Shostakovich himself did write some pretty terrible choral works to satisfy party demands!
Many composers of the soviet era were told their music was rubbish... by the government and they were banned which meant they would soon be starving. I can't imagine why you are making fun of Sviridov in this way. Time Forward was film music and who knows what kind of pressure was on him when he wrote this. Yes, it does sound "terrible" but maybe someone other than the composer himself WANTED it to sound this way. Remember that art in Soviet Russia could not develop in normal environment, there was a lot of hate and fear that the composers had to face on a daily basis.
On the other hand, I DO LIKE a waltz by Sviridov and I DO NOT feel guilty about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57KCUHNkk5A
Quote from: Ciel_Rouge on November 22, 2008, 12:07:14 PM
On the other hand, I DO LIKE a waltz by Sviridov and I DO NOT feel guilty about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57KCUHNkk5A
I'm happy you like this, though again I'm not sure this is Sviridov at his most inspired: doesn't it sound rather like a reworking of Khachaturian's waltz from Masquerade (a piece my wife and I have a soft spot for, btw)?
I like Khachaturian's waltz from Masquerade as well and also the one from Jazz Suite by Shostakovich :) It is a waltz after all, so you could always say it is "reworked". That however would be bias and I have no idea where it comes from :) For me all 3 waltzes are completely separate, beautiful pieces of music.
So far, I only met people (mostly Russians) who know Sviridov for one single reason: The Snow Storm. AFAIK the only "famous" piece of him - but not yet mentioned in this thread, AFAICS. For one (Dutch) friend of mine, it represents the essence of "Russian" music, to his ears. Actually, it's very much in the same vein as the other pieces discussed here before.
(http://www.ruslania.com/pictures/big/4600317002146.jpg)
Quote from: Christo on November 24, 2008, 01:52:17 AM
So far, I only met people (mostly Russians) who know Sviridov for one single reason: The Snow Storm. AFAIK the only "famous" piece of him - but not yet mentioned in this thread, AFAICS.
Ah, but no. That is precisely the piece
I had in mind. Sorry, at the time of writing my earlier post I was too lazy to find the score or recording and check the title. But now I've managed to find the CD, and here's the track I mentioned earlier - in comparison to
Vriemia, vpieriod, it sounds almost tasteful. ;D
http://www.mediafire.com/?dnwjjdym3yi (http://www.mediafire.com/?dnwjjdym3yi)
Quote from: Maciek on November 24, 2008, 07:23:16 AM
Ah, but no. That is precisely the piece I had in mind. Sorry, at the time of writing my earlier post I was too lazy to find the score or recording and check the title. But now I've managed to find the CD, and here's the track I mentioned earlier - in comparison to Vriemia, vpieriod, it sounds almost tasteful. ;D
Almost tasteful? It
is tasteful! Nationalism Restrained. ;)
I was accused(perhaps not entirely unfairly) of making fun of Sviridov in earlier posts ;D
I have just listened to his Pathetic Oratorio of 1959(Oratorio pathetique sounds less offensive!). It is scored for mezzo-soprano, bass(in a narrative, declamatory role), chorus and orchestra and is really quite a rousing and exciting piece :) Splendidly committed performance-as one would expect-by the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra under the late great Kiril Kondrashin from 1975 on an imported Russian cd.
Just listened to another Sviridov choral work, the Poem in Mamory of Sergei Yesenin for tenor, choir and orchestra(1955). This is certainly the best Sviridov I have heard. It is on the Russian Vista Vera label in a performance conducted by Vladimire Fedoseyev from 1981. Rich, lyrical and quite touching music. I may be warming to Sviridov after all :)
I have an old Olympia disc featuring my favorite Piano Trio...of all time! (cue Muhammad Ali impression) Sviridov's trio was written shortly after DSCH's, and contains ALL the things...I'm telling you I've searched in vain for a more perfect Shostyesque piece of chamber music. The slow movmt has all the same great stuff as Shosty, and the whole has that nostalgiac look back on things forever lost (Myaskovsky's Cello Cto.). I don't think you can fault him for having every note in place here...best Russian P.Tr. ever,...drink lots of vodka and cry.
Next on the cd was some songs or vocal music...which I still haven't listened to, well, maybe once, but I'm sure it doesn't exhibit the "beautiful" aspects of Sviridov (if it had the same melancoly as the P.Tr. I'm sure I would be raving now). I'll have to find it.
Last on the cd was I believe a Chamber Symphony which I believe was a more optimistic upbeat affair (why am I thinking Casella?). I think it had some modern touches, vigourous, rompy, and just attractive as music. Good old fashioned substantial mid-century modern Russian composer music.
But anyone seeking "the" Russian Piano Trio need look no further!!!
I remember being disappointed by Vainberg's Piano Qnt. because it did not meet up with my minor key/Shosty expectations (though Vainberg's Cello Cto. certainly is perfection). Perhaps Popov or Shebalin...?
'Snow Storm' is an orchestral work? How is it, anyone?
Also, how about those String Quartets 1-2, written in the '40s, after the amazing Piano Trio?
Also, what would be THE Sviridov disc of Vocal Music?
I have just one piece of music by this composer, St Petersburg. It is cloyingly beautiful. People who like relaxing, easy going romantic music will like it. Hvorotovsky sings.
Quote from: snyprrr on April 11, 2014, 09:03:53 AM
'Snow Storm' is an orchestral work? How is it, anyone?
Also, how about those String Quartets 1-2, written in the '40s, after the amazing Piano Trio?
Also, what would be THE Sviridov disc of Vocal Music?
The Snowstorm (1964) was written to accompany a film based on a story by Pushkin. It is tuneful, memorable and endearing music and very Russian sounding. It lasts 26 minutes and is in eight short movements. I find it atmospheric and enjoyable. In a way it is 'light' music but I do not find it either superficial or bland. Parts of Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet' came to mind (Waltz) as did Piston's 'The Incredible Flautist'. The last movement 'Winter Road' is oddly moving. I think that this music would appeal to admirers of Lyadov's atmospheric miniatures, like 'The Enchanted Lake'.
I see that Fedoseyev's fine version is being reissued this month. They call it 'The Blizzard' here but it is the same work. I have it on an old Olympia CD but it is now on Melodiya.
Quote from: vandermolen on April 12, 2014, 12:11:06 AM
The Snowstorm (1964) was written to accompany a film based on a story by Pushkin. It is tuneful, memorable and endearing music and very Russian sounding. It lasts 26 minutes and is in eight short movements. I find it atmospheric and enjoyable. In a way it is 'light' music but I do not find it either superficial or bland. Parts of Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet' came to mind (Waltz) as did Piston's 'The Incredible Flautist'. The last movement 'Winter Road' is oddly moving. I think that this music would appeal to admirers of Lyadov's atmospheric miniatures, like 'The Enchanted Lake'.
I see that Fedoseyev's fine version is being reissued this month. They call it 'The Blizzard' here but it is the same work. I have it on an old Olympia CD but it is now on Melodiya.
The last movement of the suite is in fact so moving that Tappy Iwase might have drawn inspiration from when he composed the main theme for Metal Gear Solid back in 1995. The game was revealed to the public in April 1996, however it did not received its release until Sep 1998. The Japanese release by Canyon Classics is very conveniently placed in 1995, when Metal Gear Solid was in early development
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7damwzqa4s
I was an MGS fan, and this is how I came to know Georgy Sviridov. In a MGS fan site, somebody brought up the Winter Way from Sviridov's Suite back in 2005 and I in turn was awe-stricken by the similarity and resemblance.
Quote
A video posted on YouTube shows series creator, Hideo Kojima, being presented with a recording of Georgy Sviridov's "Pushkin's Garland," a 1979 classical work which contains a similar-sounding passage. The MGS theme was first heard in the original PlayStation game, 1998. It was written by Konami's Tappi "TAPPY" Iwase, and has subsequently been reworked and remixed, most notably by film composer Harry Gregson-Williams, who scored MGS2-4.
Speaking to EGM, Hibino flatly denies that the MGS theme was "stolen," but admits that "Konami was too sensitive about the situation and just decided not to use that music in Metal Gear Solid 4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tappi_Iwase
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=21513
In any case, I would like to recommend the Japanese Canyon Classics release of 1995 (recorded on 18-20 May 1995). It's a fabulous 24-bit DDD recording.
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u197/Aggelos_05/Music%20Related/booklet_Page_1_zpsbvraczdm.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u197/Aggelos_05/Music%20Related/back_zpsm6evhtom.jpg)
(http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u197/Aggelos_05/Music%20Related/booklet_Page_9_zpsiena41cz.jpg)
http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_%E3%82%B9%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%83%89%E3%83%95%EF%BC%881915-1998%EF%BC%89_000000000052903/item_%E3%82%B9%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%83%89%E3%83%95%EF%BC%9A%E3%80%8E%E5%90%B9%E9%9B%AA%E3%80%8F%E3%80%81%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AB%EF%BC%9A%E7%AE%A1%E5%BC%A6%E6%A5%BD%E6%9B%B2%E9%9B%86%E3%80%80%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%89%E3%82%BB%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A8%E3%83%95%EF%BC%86%E3%83%A2%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AF%E6%94%BE%E9%80%81%E4%BA%A4%E9%9F%BF%E6%A5%BD%E5%9B%A3%EF%BC%88HQCD%EF%BC%89_2761622 (http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_%E3%82%B9%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%83%89%E3%83%95%EF%BC%881915-1998%EF%BC%89_000000000052903/item_%E3%82%B9%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%AA%E3%83%89%E3%83%95%EF%BC%9A%E3%80%8E%E5%90%B9%E9%9B%AA%E3%80%8F%E3%80%81%E3%82%B0%E3%83%AA%E3%83%B3%E3%82%AB%EF%BC%9A%E7%AE%A1%E5%BC%A6%E6%A5%BD%E6%9B%B2%E9%9B%86%E3%80%80%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%E3%83%89%E3%82%BB%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A8%E3%83%95%EF%BC%86%E3%83%A2%E3%82%B9%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AF%E6%94%BE%E9%80%81%E4%BA%A4%E9%9F%BF%E6%A5%BD%E5%9B%A3%EF%BC%88HQCD%EF%BC%89_2761622)
http://hp.ponycanyon.co.jp/short/sakuhin/PCCL000000582/?REF=MUSIC
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/shiragabach/50106138.html
-=========================================================================================
There is Toccata Classics' Sviridov into the bargain
(https://d2duss065tgxcq.cloudfront.net/toccata/wp-content/uploads/20141201000000/TOCC0123-jc-cover-325x325.jpg)
https://toccataclassics.com/product/georgy-sviridov-hymns-prayers/
I had bought this CD ages ago and it was still in the wrapper. Opened it up and played it today. It is an excellent CD featuring many of the works from this discussion thread:
[asin]B015GH006A[/asin]
I've enjoyed every work, especially the jazzy opening movement of 'Small Triptych' and reflective second movement. He has a style unlike other soviet composers I think but very approachable without being facile.
Not only have I been enjoying the CD shown immediately above of Sviridov's choral and orchestral works but also a brand new CD of chamber works. Shostakovich was the mentor and friend of Sviridov and I'm sure that if you like (as I do) Shostakovich's Piano Quintet and Piano Trio these powerful and moving chamber works (from 1945) by Sviridov, which clearly relate to the soviet experience in World War Two, will appeal to you as well, especially when as beautifully played and recorded here:
Here is the musicweb review:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2017/Oct/Sviridov_chamber_8553375.htm
[asin]B0742XGT3V[/asin]
I also like the quintet on this CD (more than the trio).
My all time favorite Sviridov is this lieder CD on poems of Alexander Blok. I posted it over and over in other threads.
[asin]B00J711NMW[/asin]
I also enjoyed this recent take on Russia Adrift, another song cycle for mezzo and chamber orchestra
[asin]B072MPK363[/asin]
Quote from: vandermolen on October 07, 2017, 12:25:13 PM
Not only have I been enjoying the CD shown immediately above of Sviridov's choral and orchestral works but also a brand new CD of chamber works. Shostakovich was the mentor and friend of Sviridov and I'm sure that if you like (as I do) Shostakovich's Piano Quintet and Piano Trio these powerful and moving chamber works (from 1945) by Sviridov, which clearly relate to the soviet experience in World War Two, will appeal to you as well, especially when as beautifully played and recorded here:
Here is the musicweb review:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2017/Oct/Sviridov_chamber_8553375.htm
[asin]B0742XGT3V[/asin]
Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Jeffrey. I love Shostakovich's Piano Quintet and Piano Trio (I assume you mean no. 2), so I'll definitely be checking out those Sviridov works!
Quote from: kyjo on October 07, 2017, 05:56:10 PM
Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Jeffrey. I love Shostakovich's Piano Quintet and Piano Trio (I assume you mean no. 2), so I'll definitely be checking out those Sviridov works!
Thanks Kyle and Spineur. Yes I did mean Shostakovich's Piano Trio No.2
It occurred to me that some of Sviridov's orchestral music reminds me of music by Ovchinnikov, anther fine and even more neglected composer, who is still alive as far as I know.
Piano Trio (1945)H
it's a flipping Masterpiece!!!!! The saddest thing ever... must find the old Olympia CD... is the PIANO QUINTET just as good???
Quote from: snyprrr on October 08, 2017, 08:57:41 AM
Piano Trio (1945)H
it's a flipping Masterpiece!!!!! The saddest thing ever... must find the old Olympia CD... is the PIANO QUINTET just as good???
I think so although the Funeral March in the Piano Trio is probably my favourite movement in both works, although slightly derivative of Shostakovich's Piano Quintet.
I am listening to "The Snow Storm" conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev now and it is such charming and lovely Russian music. Very Russian with elements of Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. Based on a story by Tolstoy, does it get any more Russian than that? I want to hear more from this excellent composer but there just isn't much out there but it is of such high quality. Why isn't he better known?
Quote from: relm1 on November 14, 2018, 04:19:10 PM
I am listening to "The Snow Storm" conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev now and it is such charming and lovely Russian music. Very Russian with elements of Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. Based on a story by Tolstoy, does it get any more Russian than that? I want to hear more from this excellent composer but there just isn't much out there but it is of such high quality. Why isn't he better known?
Yes, The Snow Storm is such a delectable work, it's a real delight to listen to it. Maybe you should try his chamber music, i.e. the Piano Trio and the Piano Quintet, which have some echoes of Shostakovich.
Quote from: relm1 on November 14, 2018, 04:19:10 PM
I am listening to "The Snow Storm" conducted by Vladimir Fedoseyev now and it is such charming and lovely Russian music. Very Russian with elements of Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich. Based on a story by Tolstoy, does it get any more Russian than that? I want to hear more from this excellent composer but there just isn't much out there but it is of such high quality. Why isn't he better known?
+1
I didn't knew this movie hoping for more
https://youtu.be/apUl9EehWM4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abkNX6_uT8E
On February 13, 2023, the program "Georgy Sviridov and sacred music of the 20th century" will be performed in the Small Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.
(https://www.classicalmusicnews.ru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-02-13-mzf.jpg)
Sviridov's tour in Kursk
(https://riakursk.ru/uploads/karta-georgiy-sviridov-s-logotipom-ria-kopiya.jpg)
https://riakursk.ru/po-mestam-georgiya-sviridova-v-kurske/
Quote from: Roy Bland on January 24, 2023, 07:56:41 PMOn February 13, 2023, the program "Georgy Sviridov and sacred music of the 20th century" will be performed in the Small Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.
(https://www.classicalmusicnews.ru/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-02-13-mzf.jpg)
Sviridov's tour in Kursk
(https://riakursk.ru/uploads/karta-georgiy-sviridov-s-logotipom-ria-kopiya.jpg)
https://riakursk.ru/po-mestam-georgiya-sviridova-v-kurske/
I don't think that I'll be attending that one!