Artyomov / Smirnov / Batagov - Way to Olympus - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Glenn Yarbrough - Time to Move on [COMPACT DISCS] date 05/25/1999

Vyacheslav Artyomov is considered by many to be Russia's greatest living composer. After the fall of the Soviet regime his music has travelled the world to great acclaim. It is deep, ultimately spiritual and brilliantly crafted, with influences from the Russian symphonic tradition colored by Mahler, Scriabin, Honegger and Messiaen to name a few - but melded into a unique voice. The Divine Art Artyomov Retrospective is a mix of new recordings and former Melodiya releases. It continues with the Symphony of Elegies - a total contrast to his other massive and intense symphonies, being ethereal, generally very quiet and evoking a sense of timelessness. The album is completed by two more major works - 'Awakening' for violin duo, and 'Incantations' featuring the heavenly voice of the late Lydia Davydova with four percussionists. This is an album full of really inspired masterpieces.

Three leading Russian composers (Gubaidulina, Artyomov and Suslin) formed the Astraea ensemble in 1975 to research and perform music for eastern and Transcaucasian folk and traditional instruments (wind, string and percussion). After performing works by each of the members, the group decided to abandon notation and perform freely improvised and spontaneous pieces. This, their sole album, was originally issued in Russia only and now receives it's global premiere. The three members of Astraea play on the first two tracks Instruments include the duduk, salamuri, tar, kiamancha, chonguri, kanon, mandolin, and various types of drums and bells. The third piece, which is quasi-electronic, is also an improvisation, with a very small amount of set arrangement. It was made with the participation of leading American trombonist Miles Anderson, and is based on the text of a German love poem found in the diary of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.