Valentin Silvestrov: Ukrainian composer takes a stand against totalitarianism and violence
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- Valentin Silvestrov (*1937), one of Ukraine’s most important composers, is known for his quiet tones - both in chamber music and in works for larger orchestras. Silvestrov is a master of inwardness. His compositions are both sensual and thoughtful, and they speak a universal language.
On the night of March 8-9, 2022, Silvestrov fled from Kyiv to Germany. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, the Ukrainian composer takes a stand: Silvestrov openly condemns Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in the strongest terms - but not Russian culture. Rather, he considers Russian and Ukrainian music to be a part of European culture. Silvestrov sees his music as a response to totalitarianism and violence. Due to the fragility of civilization, powerful and pompous compositions are no longer appropriate. Silvestrov relies on the quiet, on the silent tones to counter monumentalism.
Because of their delicate structure and unique transparency, Silvestrov’s works are part of the standard repertoire in concerts featuring contemporary composers.
Excerpts from compositions by Valentin Silvestrov:
(00:00) Bagatelle (2022)
Valentin Silvestrov, piano
(01:14) Bagatelle (2022)
Valentin Silvestrov, piano
(01:38) Serenade for violin solo
Gidon Kremer, violin
(02:49) Prayer for the Ukraine
Arrangement for orchestra: Eduard Resatsch
Bamberg Symphony
Jakub Hrůša
(04:09) Prayer for the Ukraine
Arrangement for orchestra: Eduard Resatsch
Bamberg Symphony
Jakub Hrůša
(05:18) Prayer for the Ukraine
Arrangement for orchestra: Eduard Resatsch
Bamberg Symphony
Jakub Hrůša
(06:27) Bagatelle (2022)
Valentin Silvestrov, piano
Report by
Gero Schließ & Anastassia Boutsko
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#ValentinSilvestrov #Ukrainiancomposer #Ukrainianmusic - Hudba
A sorrowful reason for the world to get to know this true Master... I adore his Songs and Bagatelles
his choral works are amazing modern but soulful
Hauntingly beautiful music by one of our greatest living composers. If only the world were ruled by musicians.... Slava Ukraini, may victory and peace come soon to your heroic people 🇺🇦
Great and moving video!!!!. I trully enjoyed his music!!!. Thanks a lot!!!
I feel that Valentin raised a very great point here: it is significant that so many of the great people in Russian culture were either persecuted or living in fear of persecution by the State. So many of our cultural heroes around the world were, or are, necessarily rebels. Culture is arguably the antithesis of oppression and violence. May better times come soon for Ukraine and for all of us.
In peace.
Beautiful music and poignant words by Ukraine's Valentin Silvestrov.
🕊🌟🕊
This is
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL
🙏💜🙏
💜🎵💜
I just discovered him a week ago, I’m very impressed. Such beautiful music.
Thanks God our maestro is safe and continues to create true art
soulful, peaceful human being, thank you maestro
I'm glad to know he's safe
This is a wonderfully insightful video. The final point about monumentalism is very profound. Helps me also understand why Beethoven composed the bagatelles at the time in his life when he did. The op 119 was written around the time of the Ninth and the Missa Solemnis.
Beim Bundespräsidenten auf Schloß Bellevue wurden heute zwei seiner Stücke in seiner Anwesenheit aufgeführt. Sehr bewegend.
Thank you so much, for sharing your music and your wide view with us, in these troubled times. Soothing and encouraging, heart to heart.
Dankeschön für dieses Highlight!!!
💕 Good luck in all you do!
@@DWClassicalMusic Thank you verry much. The same for you!!!
So glad Maestro Silvestrov is safe. I've been listening to his works for a while and they sooth my soul.
Beautiful ❤️🇨🇦
YES !!!
How heartfelt these compositions are! They give us an insight into the Ukraine we don't really know.
Beautiful, soulful music...🌹🌹
I just bought and listened to a CD with Silverstrov's religious choral works, which are beautiful and soul-stirring. Part two of 'Diptych', which is the poem 'Testament' from 19th century Ukrainian literary icon Shevchenko, set to choral music, is very memorable and soul-stirring for its haunting melodies and powerful atmosphere and presence.
Keep safe and sound and keep creating, Maestro.
Very good and inspiring video, thank you!
GOD, SAVE UKRAINE
his symphonies start out with intensity and out of the mist arises the most beautiful melodies
I actually had no idea that Silvestrov was Ukrainian. I listened to his music without even wondering about his heritage.
아름다운 선율
I've been a fan since discovering the Bagatelles played by Hélène Grimaud. But only now I do understand his persecution or falling out with Soviet authorities (I think?). Any artist who depicts so powerfully the universe of the private life, the meanderings of the soul, can only terrify those who insist on the total dominance of the collective. I've often felt his music is beautiful but "with no easy answers," it doesn't resolve where you think it will, though it always makes a kind of peace with itself. That's anathema who any nomenklatura who wants the Truth delivered from on high.
Thanks for sharing your observations with us and our community
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Great Ukrainian Composer. Punkt.
I did not know Silvestri was still alive, wowo
Менi цiкаво чому московити так ображаються на це вiдео? Абсолютно нiчого образливого не було сказано
🤷♂️
Старый дед совсем поехал, всю жизнь писал дерьмо и говорил дерьмо, может быть сейчас мозги встрясутся и заткнется наконец
and maybe you might be a russhist?