Introduction
Valentin Silvestrov (1937-): Requiem for Larissa (1999)
Pritzka Oeser (soprano)
Jutta Neumann (alto)
Andreas Hildreiter (tenor)
Wolfgang Klose (bass)
Michael Manthey (bass)
Bavarian Radio Chor
Munich Radio Orchestra
Andres Mustonen (conductor)
Recorded: June 17, 2011
Munich, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church (Herz-Jesu-Kirche) (live)
[Celebrating Silvestrov's 85th birthday. A CD featuring a performance by the choir of Munich, Kyiv's sister city]
Silvestrov was born in Kyiv (Kyiv), Ukraine. As a member of the Kyiv Avant-Garde, he produced avant-garde works and was banned from performing them during the Soviet era. However, in the 1970s he shifted to tonal, gentle compositions, gradually gaining popularity in recent years. Silvestrov sees the avant-garde music he once worked on as the final destination of musical history, and his recent work as "music that will resonate after musical history has run out."
This "Requiem" took Silvestrov three years to complete after his wife, musicologist and literary scholar Larissa Bondarenko, passed away in 1996. Comprised of seven chapters, the lyrics are based on fragments of a Latin requiem, while the central movement quotes "The Dream" by Ukrainian national poet Taras Shevchenko. Written in mourning for a loved one, this Requiem is notable for its lack of the dramatic scenes of divine judgment that many composers have set to violent music. Over the course of over 60 minutes, the music gently undulates with sadness and elegy, interspersed with sweet reminiscences at times, as if praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and comforting the hearts of those left behind.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Silvestrov, who was in Kyiv, was evacuated through the efforts of his acquaintances and moved to Germany in early March. This recording is being released by Kyiv's sister city, Munich, to commemorate Silvestrov's 85th birthday.
Conductor Andres Mustonen, born in Tallinn, Estonia, performs a wide range of music, from medieval and Middle Eastern music to Baroque, Classical, and contemporary works. He is particularly passionate about works by Tur, Pärt, Gubaidulina, and Penderecki. Here, he draws delicate and intricate tones from the choir and orchestra, weaving the music together.
*The Japanese edition includes commentary on the original recording and Japanese translations of the lyrics.
Media Reviews and More
Celebrating the 85th anniversary of Silvestrov's birth, this CD features a performance by a choir from Kyiv's sister city, Munich. (C)RS
