*17. June 1919, Petrograd - 22. December 2006, Petrograd
"It is difficult to speak about one's own music... My ability to compose does not coincide with the ability to write about my composing, unfortunately. Besides, there is an opinion that one precludes the other..." Galina Ustwolskaja
Galina Ustwolskaja was a restless creator. The elementary and the simple are as characteristic of her music as the wild outburst, the cry from the depths of the soul. With idiosyncratic instrumentation, she explores new sound combinations. As examples, the Composition I for "Dona nobis pacem" (1971) for piccolo, tuba and piano or Composition III: "Dies Irae" (1973) for 8 double basses, wooden blocks and piano may serve. In her 6 sonatas for piano (1947-1988), Ustwolskaja pursues a consistent, uncompromising path with her own pianistic means for decades. Her Concerto for piano, string orchestra and timpani from 1946 marks the beginning of her engagement with the piano.
"All those who truly love my music, I beg you to refrain from theoretical analysis..." Galina Ustwolskaja
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"My works are not religious in the liturgical sense, but filled with religious spirit, and – as I feel it – they would sound best in a church, without scholarly introductions and analyses. In the concert hall, thus in a secular setting, they sound different..."
"Regarding the Women's Music Festival, I would like to say the following: Can one truly distinguish between men's and women's music? If festivals of women's music are conducted today, then with the same justification there should also be festivals of men's music. But I am of the opinion that such a separation should not exist. Only true and strong music should resound! Actually, the presentation within the framework of women's music events constitutes a humiliation of the music presented. I very much hope that I do not offend anyone with my remarks – I speak from the innermost of my soul..."
Galina Ustwolskaja
(Quotes from www.sikorski.de)
Grand Duet for cello and piano (dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich) (1959)
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Mstislav Rostropovitch, cello; Alexei Lubimov - piano
Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano (1949)
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Reinbert de Leeuw - piano, Vera Beths - violin, Harmen de Boer - clarinet
Sonata for Piano No. 6 (1988)
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Marino Formenti - piano
12 Preludes for Piano (1953)
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Marianne Schröder - piano
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Galina Ustwolskaja: Composer of the Week No. 28 / February 2019