Rodion Shchedrin

Carmen Suite

            Shchedrin is a distinguished contemporary Russian composer whose active career since his graduation from the Moscow Conservatory in 1955 has led him to compose a large number of pieces in a varied field of genres.    Operas, ballets, symphonies, chamber works, piano works, concertos, and vocal music—all have been his bailiwick.  Sometimes it seems as though the Russian portion of American symphonic repertoire has come to be dominated almost exclusively by Prokofiev and Shostakovich, and a few others to a lesser degree (let’s consider Stravinsky as special case).  So, it’s a treat to hear an example of the music of one who is clearly among the most respected composers of contemporary Russia.

Symphonic Fanfares (A Festive Overture for Symphony Orchestra), op. 38

            Shchedrin is a distinguished contemporary Russian composer, whose active career since his graduation from the Moscow Conservatory in 1955 has led him to compose a large number of pieces in an varied field of genres.    Operas, ballets, symphonies, chamber works, piano works, concertos, and vocal music—all have been his bailiwick.  Sometimes it seems as though the Russian portion of American symphonic repertoire has come to be dominated almost exclusive by Prokofiev and Shostakovich, and a few others to a lesser degree (let’s consider Stravinsky as special case).  So, it’s a treat to hear an example of the music of one who is clearly among the most respected composers of contemporary Russia.