Misguided - Khrennikov

[Dave2002]

Today I received an email advert for Khrennikov's violin concerto, played by Vadim Repim, coupled with the same composer's piano concerto. I've no idea what the music is like. Indeed, I was completely unaware of this composer, but he does seem to have been rather misguided - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tikhon_Khrennikov

>>> he described Stalin as a "genius", an "absolutely normal person", tolerant of criticism:

!!!!

[teamsaint]

fascinating Wiki article. Thanks for the link Dave.

Interesting list of awards, including UNESCO and France's " order of Arts and Letters.

[verismissimo]

Living in Sydney thirty years ago, the ABC announcer of their late night programme introduced a symphony by the "distinguished Soviet composer, Khrennikov".

I phoned him up and gave him what for. You could do that there (and then).

[Ferretfancy]

Living in Sydney thirty years ago, the ABC announcer of their late night programme introduced a symphony by the "distinguished Soviet composer, Khrennikov".

I phoned him up and gave him what for. You could do that there (and then).

Fine, but what was the music like?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Fine, but what was the music like?

This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xbGZZL413Q

[verismissimo]

This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xbGZZL413Q

Competent. Soviet...

But it's not really the point, given his role in the persecution of fellow composers at the behest of Stalin - Prokoviev, Shostakovich etc.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Competent. Soviet...

Yes: Shostakovich #5 has a win on the Lottery and, in a good mood, goes to hear Russlan & Ludmilla.

But it's not really the point, given his role in the persecution of fellow composers at the behest of Stalin - Prokoviev, Shostakovich etc.

- and long after Stalin's death:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khrennikov%27s_Seven

[Ferretfancy]

This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xbGZZL413Q

And I thought that Khatchaturyan was bad enough!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

And I thought that Khatchaturyan was bad enough!

[LeMartinPecheur]

I've seen it suggested that Khrennikov actually did quite a good job, despite the opprobrium he earned, because no Soviet composer was ever executed. Contrast many (most?) other artistic occupations.

[french frank]

I've seen it suggested that Khrennikov actually did quite a good job, despite the opprobrium he earned, because no Soviet composer was ever executed. Contrast many (most?) other artistic occupations.

I think you have to go to the Wikipedia Talk page to get the view that he was "controversial".

[verismissimo]

- and long after Stalin's death:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khrennikov%27s_Seven

I notice that the first two of the seven Russian composers denounced by Khrennikov after the Stalin era were Elena Firsova and Dmitri Smirnov. Both came to live and work in Britain - and are still doing so.

In fact, as I mentioned on the forthcoming concerts thread, their daughter, Alissa Firsova makes her debut with the ECO, conducting the premiere of her own Serenade for Strings and David Matthews's 4th Symphony, and directing from the keyboard Mozart K488.

Cadogan Hall tomorrow.