Release Date: 22 September 2017
Label: ECM New Series
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 028948156924
Genres: Classical Chamber Music
Description
Released in time for the great Ukrainian composer's 80th birthday (on 30 September), the album 'Hieroglyphen der Nacht' features Valentin Silvestrov's music for solo violoncello and for two cellos.
German cellist Anja Lechner has had a long association with Silvestrov, first documented on the Grammy-nominated 'leggiero, pesante' in 2001. Here she plays, alone, Augenblicke der Stille und Traurigkeit (of which she is the dedicatee), Lacrimosa, Walzer der Alpengöckchen, and Elegie (which calls for her to play both cello and tamtams). Lechner is joined by French cellist Agnès Vesterman, a frequent duo partner, to play Drei Stücke (dedicated to both musicians), 8.VI. 1810…zum Geburtstag R.A. Schumann, Zwei Serenaden, and 25.X.1893…zum Andenken an P.I. Tschaikowskij.
As so often with Silvestrov, the compositions often take the form of metaphorical conversations with composers of the past and the present. Tchaikovsky and Schumann are amongst the composers referenced here, while Lacrimosa is a reaction to music of his friend Tigran Mansurian. "My own music is a response to and an echo of what already exists," says Silvestrov, viewing his oeuvre as a series of "codas" to music history.
Hieroglyphen der Nacht was recorded at Lugano's Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI, and produced by Manfred Eicher.
Personnel: Anja Lechner (cello, tamtam); Agnès Vesterman (cello)
Tracklisting
Anna Gourari, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana & Markus Poschner
Gidon Kremer, Kremerata Baltica & Vida Mikneviciute
Arvo Part
Thomas Larcher
John Holloway Ensemble
Heinz Holliger & Anton Kernjak
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra & Tonu Kaljuste
Karlheinz Stockhausen Michaels Reise
Valentin Silvestrov
