Felzer's music was profoundly influenced by Mugham, an ancient Azeri 'traditional professional music' that is a vocal-instrumental tradition transmitted orally from master to student.
Historical Context
During the Soviet period, traditional cultures in regions like Azerbaijan were repressed and 'russified,' with authentic ethnic music falling into obscurity.
Compositional Technique
Felzer developed a unique compositional method, drawing on Mugham's melodic and rhythmic features, where individual notes and their interactions form the main musical narrative, rather than traditional themes.
Composer Biography
Oleg Felzer, a student of Kara Karayev (a Shostakovich pupil), graduated from the Baku State Conservatory and the Leningrad Conservatory, and later taught at the Moscow Conservatory.
Composition History
Felzer's final work, "Interrupted Song" for violin and piano, was commissioned through the Library of Congress's McKim Fund and was completed by his friend Faradzh Karayev after Felzer's terminal cancer diagnosis.
Performer Biography
Continuum, directed by Cheryl Seltzer and Joel Sachs, has a unique role in musical life through its pioneering retrospectives and has received the Siemens international award for distinguished service to music.
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