Sofia Gubaidulina has a particularly close relationship with the guitar, exploiting its sound spectrum in unimagined ways and creating remarkable timbres when combined with bowed instruments.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Characteristic of Sofia Gubaidulina's work is the almost total absence of absolute music; her compositions nearly always go beyond the purely musical dimension, often incorporating poetic texts, rituals, or instrumental 'actions'.
Recording & Production
This album features the world premiere recording of Sofia Gubaidulina's "Sotto voce" for viola, double bass, and two guitars, composed between 2010 and 2013.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sofia Gubaidulina compares the three pillars of musical language—harmony, melody, and rhythm—to a tree, with the root as its essence, the trunk as its outward appearance, and the leaves and fruits as its metamorphosis.
Composition History
The title "Repentance" for the work for cello, three guitars, and double bass, is an English translation of the Italian "ravvedimento," and refers to Sofia Gubaidulina's regret at having to delay writing the piece for cellist Ivan Monighetti due to other commissions.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Violinist Gidon Kremer noted that Sofia Gubaidulina's music always contains a mystery and a message, emphasizing her unique individual voice over technique or school.
Composer Biography
Sofia Gubaidulina, born in 1931, has written over eighty solo and chamber music works, showcasing a rich variety of instrumental combinations.
