Death of a rebel Soviet composer, 88

Death of a rebel Soviet composer, 88

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norman lebrecht

February 10, 2020

The ingenious Sergei Slonimsky died yesterday in St Petersburg.

Nephew of the US music writer Nicolai Slonimsky, he daringly produced some 12-note scores in the 1960s and earned an early reputation as a bit of a rebel. But the system soon cracked down on him and he did penance with a lot of folk-based scores. At the Conservatoire, he was confined to teaching students from Third World countries, which he much enjoyed.

Slonimsky leaves 8 operas, 34 symphonies and a warehouse full of chamber music.

His opera Maria Stuart was performed at the Edinburgh festival by the Mikhailovsky theatre.

Funeral on February 13.

Comments

  • Saul Davis says:

    He wrote some wonderful harp music, which is not too common for most composers.

  • Larry W says:

    Looks like he left a lexicon of musical invention.

  • Jacob Dimant says:

    Can you specify the name of the beutiful piano piece?
    Shazam identified it as March of the dreadful villain Barmaley.Played by Elena Filonova.
    Any comments about the piece?

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