Valentin Silvestrov, born in Kiev, Ukraine, initially embraced the radicalism of the Avant-Garde but later developed a polystylistic approach, eventually moving towards a tonal musical language.
Performer Biography
Tomasz Kamieniak, the pianist, specializes in music by Franz Liszt and Charles-Valentin Alkan, as well as other less renowned composers and 19th to 21st century music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Valentin Silvestrov, the composer, describes his piano pieces as 'symphonies of moments' and 'melodies of silence,' emphasizing the importance of pauses as part of the music.
Interpretation
The pianist, Tomasz Kamieniak, recommends listening to the entire album without interruption to fully appreciate the metaphorical nature and 'hidden modernness' of Valentin Silvestrov's Bagatelles.
Critical Reception
Despite successful premieres in Russia, Valentin Silvestrov's music received harsh criticism in the Soviet press during the 1960s and 1970s, and his true stature as a composer was only fully recognized by the 2000s.
Recording & Production
This recording features a World Premiere programming of Valentin Silvestrov's compositions, interpreted by Tomasz Kamieniak with the composer's blessing.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Valentin Silvestrov states, 'I do not write new music. My music is a response to and an echo of what already exists,' aligning him with composers who find inspiration in musical heritage.
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