Scherbachov, along with other leading Soviet composers like Myaskovsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich, was declared an "anti-popular formalist" in 1948.
Composer Biography
Vladimir Scherbachov (1889-1952) was a composer and teacher who served as a link between 19th-century Russian musical classics and the tumultuous 20th century.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Scherbachov's Fifth Symphony, which he called the "Russian Symphony," amply uses materials of Great Russian and Cossack folklore.
Composition History
Scherbachov's Fifth Symphony was nurtured for a decade, with its first version performed in 1948 and the score finalized by autumn 1950.
Compositional Technique
Scherbachov's Nonet for female voice, flute, harp, piano, string quartet, and a ballerina to perform the ballet part, is described as unique in world literature.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Scherbachov's Fifth Symphony was inspired by Alexander Blok's poem "On the Kulikovo Battlefield" and reflects a deep meditation on Russia's destiny.
Historical Context
During World War I, Scherbachov served as a 2nd Lieutenant in motor troops, and later in the Red Army from 1918-1922.
