Valentin Silvestrov: Ukrainian composer takes a stand against totalitarianism and violence

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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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Пікірлер: 41

@user-ce6ym3zs3u 2 жыл бұрын

A sorrowful reason for the world to get to know this true Master... I adore his Songs and Bagatelles

@gregorypatriciaandjiyajais8819 Жыл бұрын

his choral works are amazing modern but soulful

@marcelafraustosalas814 2 жыл бұрын

Great and moving video!!!!. I trully enjoyed his music!!!. Thanks a lot!!!

@ianmartin2491 2 жыл бұрын

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 🇺🇦

@Geoffskyweoffsky 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@richardjchandler 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful music and poignant words by Ukraine's Valentin Silvestrov.

@MD-rd7bn 2 жыл бұрын

I just discovered him a week ago, I’m very impressed. Such beautiful music.

@fulgenjbatista4640 2 жыл бұрын

🕊🌟🕊 This is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL 🙏💜🙏 💜🎵💜

@jeffsmith1798 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@gardikagigih5704 2 жыл бұрын

soulful, peaceful human being, thank you maestro

@narykoone8298 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks God our maestro is safe and continues to create true art

@thomasshelley4617 2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad to know he's safe

@Stefan_G. 2 жыл бұрын

Dankeschön für dieses Highlight!!!

@DWClassicalMusic 2 жыл бұрын

💕 Good luck in all you do!

@Stefan_G. 2 жыл бұрын

@@DWClassicalMusic Thank you verry much. The same for you!!!

@alexandranaumann2833 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much, for sharing your music and your wide view with us, in these troubled times. Soothing and encouraging, heart to heart.

@embo67 2 жыл бұрын

Beim Bundespräsidenten auf Schloß Bellevue wurden heute zwei seiner Stücke in seiner Anwesenheit aufgeführt. Sehr bewegend.

@sandygardiner6433 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful ❤️🇨🇦

@m.barrera7273 2 жыл бұрын

So glad Maestro Silvestrov is safe. I've been listening to his works for a while and they sooth my soul.

@litoboy5 2 жыл бұрын

YES !!!

@wramaccorsi1357 Жыл бұрын

How heartfelt these compositions are! They give us an insight into the Ukraine we don't really know.

@litoboy5 2 жыл бұрын

GOD, SAVE UKRAINE

@Poetic_Justice1962 Жыл бұрын

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.

@tommorrissey4726 Жыл бұрын

Keep safe and sound and keep creating, Maestro.

@mono635 Жыл бұрын

Very good and inspiring video, thank you!

@emmerentiagroenewald3694 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful, soulful music...🌹🌹

@gregorypatriciaandjiyajais8819 Жыл бұрын

his symphonies start out with intensity and out of the mist arises the most beautiful melodies

@Scriabinfan593 6 ай бұрын

I actually had no idea that Silvestrov was Ukrainian. I listened to his music without even wondering about his heritage.

@isaacparra2071 2 жыл бұрын

◑ 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 ◐

@erasmusdesiderius1549 Жыл бұрын

아름다운 선율

@NickSpicerTV 4 ай бұрын

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.

@DWClassicalMusic 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your observations with us and our community