Lesser known Russian/Soviet composers

[Roy Bland]

[AnotherSpin]

Putin regime generates propaganda myths and tries to distort the life and deeds of Marshal Mannerheim, who fought against the USSR in different periods of Finland's history.

Interestingly, there is no information about this cantata or its authorship anywhere online. There is nothing on the photo of the covers either. Do you know anything about it?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Putin regime generates propaganda myths and tries to distort the life and deeds of Marshal Mannerheim, who fought against the USSR in different periods of Finland's history.

Interestingly, there is no information about this cantata or its authorship anywhere online. There is nothing on the photo of the covers either. Do you know anything about it?

I found this using Google's image search engine (back cover) and then clicked on "translate".

"MANNERHEIM KAHTATA
MANNERHEIM CANTATA
St. Petersburg, 2008
Prepress preparation - BIS-print Agency LLC
© Design - A. Vinogradov
© Petersburg Recording Studio
Sound engineer - A. Barashkin
Printing house "NP-print"
Circulation: 1000 copies."

PD

[AnotherSpin]

I found this using Google's image search engine (back cover) and then clicked on "translate".

"MANNERHEIM KAHTATA
MANNERHEIM CANTATA
St. Petersburg, 2008
Prepress preparation - BIS-print Agency LLC
© Design - A. Vinogradov
© Petersburg Recording Studio
Sound engineer - A. Barashkin
Printing house "NP-print"
Circulation: 1000 copies."

PD

Yeah, but does someone usually compose the music? Who wrote this cantata? Who performs it??

But, in Putin's Russia, a lot more wonders than that happen.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Yeah, but does someone usually compose the music? Who wrote this cantata? Who performs it??

But, in Putin's Russia, a lot more wonders than that happen.

Of course I was trying to find out who the composer was! lol  I was trying to figure out what the name of the label was.  Is it "Memok"?  "Mewok"?  Something else? 

One thought:  you could try contacting the Petersburg Recording Studio?  https://prs-records.com/en/home-en/  They also have an online archive; you might find the information in there?

PD

p.s.  I also tried googling the sound engineer's name.  I found a listing of a bunch of classical works with what I suspect is that person's name, but didn't see that work listed.

[AnotherSpin]

Of course I was trying to find out who the composer was! lol  I was trying to figure out what the name of the label was.  Is it "Memok"?  "Mewok"?  Something else? 

One thought:  you could try contacting the Petersburg Recording Studio?  https://prs-records.com/en/home-en/  They also have an online archive; you might find the information in there?

PD

p.s.  I also tried googling the sound engineer's name.  I found a listing of a bunch of classical works with what I suspect is that person's name, but didn't see that work listed.

I may be mistaken, but I think the composer of the cantata is Yuri Falik. He is from my city, Odessa, but he lived and worked in Russia.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I may be mistaken, but I think the composer of the cantata is Yuri Falik. He is from my city, Odessa, but he lived and worked in Russia.

Oh, good guess!  I just checked Wiki and under works they listed this as being one of them:  "Mannerheim", chamber cantata for mixed choir, clarinet, piano and percussion (2007)".  This would also make sense as the date on the CD is 2008.

What was the name of the conductor who (in the early days of the war) was ordered to, I believe it was, play a certain Russian patriot kind of work?  He refused to and was shot. 

PD

p.s.  Would be interested in hearing this work--or at least being able to get a hold of a T&T.

[AnotherSpin]

Oh, good guess!  I just checked Wiki and under works they listed this as being one of them:  "Mannerheim", chamber cantata for mixed choir, clarinet, piano and percussion (2007)".  This would also make sense as the date on the CD is 2008.

What was the name of the conductor who (in the early days of the war) was ordered to, I believe it was, play a certain Russian patriot kind of work?  He refused to and was shot. 

PD

p.s.  Would be interested in hearing this work--or at least being able to get a hold of a T&T.

Perhaps you are referring to Yuri Kerpatenko, the conductor of the Musical Drama Theatre in Kherson.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Perhaps you are referring to Yuri Kerpatenko, the conductor of the Musical Drama Theatre in Kherson.

Yes, that was the conductor.   

So, what do you think of Yuri Falik's works?  And do you think that this work would have been basically a Russian political propaganda work?  I hadn't heard of Mannerheim before now (and haven't looked into the story much--yet anyway).  I did see that someone secretly recorded him in a conversation with Hitler--shudder!.

PD

[AnotherSpin]

Yes, that was the conductor.   

So, what do you think of Yuri Falik's works?  And do you think that this work would have been basically a Russian political propaganda work?  I hadn't heard of Mannerheim before now (and haven't looked into the story much--yet anyway).  I did see that someone secretly recorded him in a conversation with Hitler--shudder!.

PD

I don't remember ever listening to Falik's works.

Mannerheim is a remarkable man. As a military commander who defended Finland from Russian hordes, he did the same thing Ukrainians do now. But, in fact, I know almost nothing about him. I don't quite understand the honours that Putin paid to Mannerheim.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I don't remember ever listening to Falik's works.

Mannerheim is a remarkable man. As a military commander who defended Finland from Russian hordes, he did the same thing Ukrainians do now. But, in fact, I know almost nothing about him. I don't quite understand the honours that Putin paid to Mannerheim.

Thank you for your honesty.  I'll look into his career and life further. 

PD

[Cato]

Thank you for your honesty.  I'll look into his career and life further. 

PD

Concerning Yuri Falik, YouTube has some of his works, e.g.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Concerning Yuri Falik, YouTube has some of his works, e.g.

Thanks, Cato!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I did also find this short article about Yuri Falik.  Interesting to see that the Taneyev String Quartet recorded his string quartets (nos. 3-6).  It came out on Northern Flowers.  The cover also says "St. Petersburg Musical Archive".  Looks like that that is a series put out by Northern Flowers.  They list various recordings for sale on Prestomusic.com's website.

https://www.classicalmusicdaily.com/2023/01/fff.htm

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@Roy Bland

Hi Roy,

We're curious as to how you heard about this recording and what you can tell us about it.  As in, what label it's on.  Who are the musicians involved?  Have you heard it and if so what can you tell us about it--like the text, etc.  AnotherSpin thinks that it's by Yuri Falik and it's listed in Wiki that he wrote a work with this title and the date also seems to fit.

Best,

PD

[kyjo]

Was just listening to this wonderful disc, which completely exceeded my expectations (not sure why they weren't particularly high):



Vladimir Jurowski/Jurovski/Yurovsky (1915-72) was the father of conductor Michail Jurowski (who does his dad's music proud here) and grandfather of conductors Vladimir and Dmitri Jurowski. It's very difficult to find info on him on the internet, perhaps because his more famous grandson has the exact same name. Annoyingly, Wikipedia simply refers to him as a "film music composer" and nothing else.

Anyways, the music! The 5th Symphony (1971) is a big work at 45 minutes in length, perhaps "conversative" in style for its date but rarely derivative and full of harmonic "bite" when needed (and even some occasional special effects like string glissandi). I was worried that the 21-minute long first movement wouldn't sustain its length, but fortunately it does! It's in that quintessentially Slavic key of B-flat minor, and is suitably imposing, epic, and dark. The slow movement is occasionally reminiscent of Prokofiev in Romeo and Juliet mode, and as such is mellifluously lyrical. The finale veers between rumbustious high spirits and tragedy, ultimately ending in a triumphant coda complete with organ and chiming bells - I'm not sure if it's completely convincing, but it sure makes a glorious noise!

As much as I enjoyed the symphony, the symphonic suite Russian Painters (date unknown) is the highlight of the disc - I'd go so far as to say it's a masterpiece. Each movement (there are 7) is based on a different Russian painting, each highly contrasted in character. The whole piece is wonderful, but particular highlights include Portrait of an Unknown Woman (seductive, lilting, slightly mysterious), Morning of the Streltsy's Execution (stunningly powerful and doom-laden!!), and Alenushka (wistful and melancholic with a gorgeous main tune). It's very much a "sequel" to Mussorgsky's Pictures and seriously deserves to be programmed every once in a while instead of that ubiquitous work.

This CD was released in 2015 and we haven't had any more Jurowski from CPO (or anyone else) since then - to which I say "please sir, may I have some more"? Unfortunately Michail Jurowski passed away last year, and I can only hope that either of the composer's two grandsons might be interested in keeping the flame alive for his music, because on the evidence of this disc it would seem well worth exploring!

[AnotherSpin]

@Roy Bland

Hi Roy,

We're curious as to how you heard about this recording and what you can tell us about it.  As in, what label it's on.  Who are the musicians involved?  Have you heard it and if so what can you tell us about it--like the text, etc.  AnotherSpin thinks that it's by Yuri Falik and it's listed in Wiki that he wrote a work with this title and the date also seems to fit.

Best,

PD

Unfortunately, I won't be able to help look for information. Almost the entire Russian internet is inaccessible from Ukraine, which I don't particularly regret. Especially in light of the current nightly missile raids on my city. Yesterday a wing of a bank building several hundred meters from my house and a couple of hundreds and line of sight from the Odessa Opera House was completely destroyed. Is it worth mentioning that this is a UNESCO-protected part of the city?

[Irons]

I did also find this short article about Yuri Falik.  Interesting to see that the Taneyev String Quartet recorded his string quartets (nos. 3-6).  It came out on Northern Flowers.  The cover also says "St. Petersburg Musical Archive".  Looks like that that is a series put out by Northern Flowers.  They list various recordings for sale on Prestomusic.com's website.

https://www.classicalmusicdaily.com/2023/01/fff.htm

PD

I have that set. Jaw-dropping good.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Unfortunately, I won't be able to help look for information. Almost the entire Russian internet is inaccessible from Ukraine, which I don't particularly regret. Especially in light of the current nightly missile raids on my city. Yesterday a wing of a bank building several hundred meters from my house and a couple of hundreds and line of sight from the Odessa Opera House was completely destroyed. Is it worth mentioning that this is a UNESCO-protected part of the city?

Just stay safe!

I have that set. Jaw-dropping good.

Nice to hear it!

PD

[relm1]

Was just listening to this wonderful disc, which completely exceeded my expectations (not sure why they weren't particularly high):



Vladimir Jurowski/Jurovski/Yurovsky (1915-72) was the father of conductor Michail Jurowski (who does his dad's music proud here) and grandfather of conductors Vladimir and Dmitri Jurowski. It's very difficult to find info on him on the internet, perhaps because his more famous grandson has the exact same name. Annoyingly, Wikipedia simply refers to him as a "film music composer" and nothing else.

Anyways, the music! The 5th Symphony (1971) is a big work at 45 minutes in length, perhaps "conversative" in style for its date but rarely derivative and full of harmonic "bite" when needed (and even some occasional special effects like string glissandi). I was worried that the 21-minute long first movement wouldn't sustain its length, but fortunately it does! It's in that quintessentially Slavic key of B-flat minor, and is suitably imposing, epic, and dark. The slow movement is occasionally reminiscent of Prokofiev in Romeo and Juliet mode, and as such is mellifluously lyrical. The finale veers between rumbustious high spirits and tragedy, ultimately ending in a triumphant coda complete with organ and chiming bells - I'm not sure if it's completely convincing, but it sure makes a glorious noise!

As much as I enjoyed the symphony, the symphonic suite Russian Painters (date unknown) is the highlight of the disc - I'd go so far as to say it's a masterpiece. Each movement (there are 7) is based on a different Russian painting, each highly contrasted in character. The whole piece is wonderful, but particular highlights include Portrait of an Unknown Woman (seductive, lilting, slightly mysterious), Morning of the Streltsy's Execution (stunningly powerful and doom-laden!!), and Alenushka (wistful and melancholic with a gorgeous main tune). It's very much a "sequel" to Mussorgsky's Pictures and seriously deserves to be programmed every once in a while instead of that ubiquitous work.

This CD was released in 2015 and we haven't had any more Jurowski from CPO (or anyone else) since then - to which I say "please sir, may I have some more"? Unfortunately Michail Jurowski passed away last year, and I can only hope that either of the composer's two grandsons might be interested in keeping the flame alive for his music, because on the evidence of this disc it would seem well worth exploring!

I thought quite highly of this disc as well.  Would love to hear more of his but can't find anything.