Silvestrov, Valentin (Vasilievich)

Silvestrov, Valentin (Vasilievich) , Russian composer; b. Kiev, Sept. 30, 1937. He studied with Liatoshinsky at the Kiev Cons. (1958–64). He began to compose in a boldly experimental idiom of Western provenance; wrote piano pieces in the strict 12-tone technique. Although severely reprimanded in the Soviet press, he was not forcibly restrained from continuing to write music in a modernistic manner. After the demise of the Soviet regime, he encountered no obstructive criticism to his chosen means of compositional expression.

Works

ORCH.: 6 syms.: No. 1 (1963), No. 2 for Flute, Percussion, Piano, and Strings (1965), No. 3 (1966), No. 4 for Brass Instruments and Strings (1976), No. 5 (1982), and No. 6 (1997); Monodia for Piano and Orch. (1965); Spectrum for Chamber Orch. (1965); Meditation for Cello and Chamber Orch. (1972); Serenade for 2 Violins and Chamber Orch. (1978); Postlude, symphonic poem for Piano and Orch. (1984); Widmung, violin concerto (1990); Metamusic for Piano and Orch. (1992). CHAMBER: Piano Quintet (1961); Quartetto piccolo for String Quartet (1961); Trio for Flute, Trumpet, and Celesta (1962); Mysteries for Alto Flute and Percussion (1964); Projections for Harpsichord, Vibraphone, and Bells (1965); Drama for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1971); 2 string quartets (1974, 1988); Postludium for Cello and Piano (1982); Cello Sonata (1983); Post Scriptum, violin sonata (1990). Piano: 3 sonatas (1960, 1975, 1979); Classical Sonata (1973); Kitch Music, 5 pieces (1977). VOCAL: Cantata for Soprano and Chamber Orch. (1973); Ode to a Nightingale for Soprano and Chamber Orch. (1983); Exegi monumentum, sym. for Baritone and Orch. (1988).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire