Lesser known Russian/Soviet composers

[Roy Bland]

[Roy Bland]

[Roy Bland]

https://nv.mosconsv.ru/index.php/en/node/247

[Roy Bland]

book on Butsko

[Roy Bland]

post here but there is surely a topic devoted him

[Symphonic Addict]

Just came across the string quartets (played by the Rimsky-Korsakov Quartet) by Alexander Alyabyev (1787-1851) from this Melodiya recording:



My goodness, how stupendous music this is. The only Russian classical-romantic quartets I already knew were the ones by Glinka, but those are rather forgettable. However, Alyabyev's two surviving examples (Nos. 1 and 3) have plenty of truly memorable material, e.g. the catchy rhythmic motif at 4:04 mark in the Minuetto from the Third SQ. Simply delightful and inventive, so is the rest of the quartets.

There are other chamber and orchestral pieces on that set and judging by the quality of the music/performances of the quartets, they look worth investigating too.

[kyjo]

Just came across the string quartets (played by the Rimsky-Korsakov Quartet) by Alexander Alyabyev (1787-1851) from this Melodiya recording:



My goodness, how stupendous music this is. The only Russian classical-romantic quartets I already knew were the ones by Glinka, but those are rather forgettable. However, Alyabyev's two surviving examples (Nos. 1 and 3) have plenty of truly memorable material, e.g. the catchy rhythmic motif at 4:04 mark in the Minuetto from the Third SQ. Simply delightful and inventive, so is the rest of the quartets.

There are other chamber and orchestral pieces on that set and judging by the quality of the music/performances of the quartets, they look worth investigating too.

Thanks for sharing, Cesar! I'm totally unfamiliar with Alyabyev's music as of now, but he certainly occupies a unique place in history as one of the first significant Russian composers.

[Symphonic Addict]

More Alyabyev chamber goodies: two piano trios, one violin sonata and one piano quintet. Who knew that this apparently barely known Russian composer wrote music of remarkable quality. His sense of lyricism and melody is truly captivating, not to mention some refined gestures that appear here and there. Lovely music expertly performed.

[Cato]

More Alyabyev chamber goodies: two piano trios, one violin sonata and one piano quintet. Who knew that this apparently barely known Russian composer wrote music of remarkable quality. His sense of lyricism and melody is truly captivating, not to mention some refined gestures that appear here and there. Lovely music expertly performed.

There are various things available on YouTube: also check there under "Alabyev."

[hattoff 2]

I, to my surprise, found Gavril Popov Symphony No.4 on Youtube. It's been there a few months, uploaded by Melodiya. I didn't know that it was a purely choral work in four movements and is nothing like his other symphonies. I've only listened to it once, it seems pleasant enough but needs more listening to know if it is any good, or someone to tell me!!

I wish Melodiya would upload more of their catalogue; I expect we all do!

Just found it's downloadable from Presto Music.

I think I'm a bit late with the news!

[Roy Bland]

on russian/soviet music
https://journalpmn.ru/index.php/RM/index

[Roy Bland]

[Roy Bland]

Schedrin dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodion_Shchedrin

[Symphonic Addict]

Schedrin dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodion_Shchedrin

Sad news. Rest in peace. He was one of my favorite living composers.

[relm1]

Schedrin dead
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodion_Shchedrin

Yes, sad news.  A fine composer with a varied and interesting output.