Prokofiev, like many important Soviet composers, was evacuated from the danger zone during the German attack on the Soviet Union in 1941, living in Perm from June to October 1943.
Compositional Technique
Fikret Amirov, an Azerbaijani composer, created a new orchestral style based on the traditional mugam, combining ancient oriental musical language with Western instrumentation and harmony.
Composer Biography
Otar Taktakishvili, born in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, maintained a close link with his hometown throughout his life, serving as rector of the Tbilisi Conservatory and later as Georgian Minister of Culture.
Performer Biography
Manuela Wiesler, the flautist on this album, won first prize at the Nordic Chamber Music Competition in Helsinki in 1976 and has had a successful career as a solo flautist, with many composers dedicating works to her.
Instruments
The flute is a popular folk instrument in the Caucasus, known as the duduk in Armenia, duduki in Georgia, and balaman in Azerbaijan, with a sound between a wooden flute and a shawm.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Edison Denisov, a leading figure in the Soviet avant-garde, was influenced by composers like Mozart, Bartók, Stravinsky, and Webern, and felt a close affinity with Debussy and modern French composers.
Composer Biography
Edison Denisov, born in 1929, initially studied at the mechanical and mathematical faculty of Tomsk University before pursuing music on the advice of Shostakovich.
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Flute Recital: Bailey, Don - Muczynski, R. / Boulanger, L. / Ravel, M. / Poulenc, F. / Martinu, B. / Hoover, K. / Gieseking, W.
