One of the most controversial composers of the 20th centuryis Valentin Sylvestrov. He chose for himself an unpopular trend in music - the avant-garde. However, after listening to the works of this composer, one cannot say that they constitute a terrible cacophony. The melody sounds quite harmonious. In addition, his name is famous not only in Ukraine, but also in Russia, America and other countries.
Childhood
Silvestrov Valentin was born in the family of a teacherGerman language and engineer. Being educated people, the parents of the future composer tried to give their son a comprehensive education. They did not focus on individual items. But by the age of fifteen, it became clear that Valentine Silvestrov to music. Then he tried to write his first works.
The future composer received only the initialmusical education. After graduation, he entered the building institute, where he studied for three years. After Valentin Silvestrov quit his studies in the middle of the year, he entered the Kiev Conservatory. It happened in 1958. Three years later he wrote his serial work - “Five Pieces for Piano”.
Why was it difficult for a composer to gain popularity?
The composer's youth came in very difficultyears He began writing at the end of the fifties, when the plenum of composers and the artistic council ruled the tastes of people. Any works mercilessly criticized. Young composers and artists at that time did not like the advocates of social realism.
Silvestrov Valentin Vasilyevich did not wantretreat. He dreamed of writing only what he liked. A man once already changed his life and did not want his efforts to be in vain. He was inspired by the work of Western composers and tried to write works that were significantly different from those performed in a socialist society. This position led to the fact that until the eighties, only a small part of Silvestrov's works were performed from the stage and printed. Most of them were published only after the fall of the socialist regime.
Final exam
As a thesis, Silvestrov Valentinpresented a symphony written in the spirit of Stravinsky and Schoenberg. She was not accepted by teachers, and the final exam had to pass a year after the end of the course in the conservatory. In those years, atonality, politonality and dodecaphony were a real challenge for the commission. In 1964, the novice composer presented a work entitled The Classical Overture, which was well received by teachers. In his creation, the techniques of Sergei Prokofiev were used. The sound of this composition was significantly different from the previous thesis.
Conflict with the Union of Composers
Already at the time of the final exam it became clearthat Valentine Silvestrov is an extraordinary composer, distinguished by his sense of style. He chose a direction that was not understood in the sixties. The man challenged the socialist system. The second thesis confirmed that he could write classic plays understandable to society, but did not want to do this.
For a long time, Valentin Vasilyevich did not take inUnion of Composers. After he became a member of the board of the organization, pressure began. At one of the plenary meetings of the Ukrainian youth, B. Shirma spoke incorrectly towards avant-garde composers. Then, from the group of performers and authors, a disgruntled rumble rose. As a result, all those who were at the plenum and were involved in avant-garde music were expelled from the Union. They restored Silvestrov only three years later, thanks to the petition of Khrennikov, Shostakovich and Khachaturian.
Fame
This composer has a very complicated biography.Valentine Silvestrov has repeatedly shown that he is a brave man, ready to challenge public opinion. For many years after graduation, he wrote "to the table." At home, his creations were not popular and were not published. In 1970, one of the works of Silvestrov was recognized in the Netherlands at the Gaudeamus competition, and three years earlier, Valentin Vasilyevich received the Kusevitsky Prize in the USA.
Abroad, warmly accepted works of thisthe author. Therefore, they often sounded exactly on the western stage. In the circles of Soviet cultural figures, this state of affairs was taken for dissidence. In the USSR in the seventies, Silvestrov, Schnittke and Denisov attracted attention with their unusual sound and scandalous reputation.
Recognition at home
For a long time the work of Silvestrov notwere interested. Numerous works have not been written about him, connoisseurs and music critics did not delve into the stylistics of this composer. The fact is that the material for the study is not the easiest. Sylvestrov's music can be understood only now, when the true connoisseur is no surprise. In the USSR, until the early eighties, they did not perceive Silvestrov's work, but with the advent of the thaw of perestroika, he became a popular and famous composer. Unexpectedly for himself, the musician began to receive positive reviews from critics. At his concerts began to go, because the avant-garde came into vogue. In 1989, the composer was awarded the extraordinary title of People's Artist of Ukraine.
For a long time, Valentin Vasilyevich was restricted to travel abroad.But Perestroika was able to make its contribution here too - it was given the opportunity to go to capitalist America. Previously, only after visiting several socialist countries, one could hope to travel to the USA, but even here an exception was made for the composer.
Music Silvestrova
There is much to say about the music that he wroteValentin Sylvestrov. Interesting facts of his biography draw attention to the work of the composer. Over time, his works have changed their color. In the sixties, the author tried to find himself - he often used bold combinations for his compositions. Later, their character changed - a lyrical component was added, and the avant-garde technique began to be combined with tonal thinking.
One of the most interesting workscomposers are cantatas, laid on verses by various authors. In 1973, the author experimented with the poems of Tyutchev and Blok. And in 2015, he wrote a whole symphony, the inspiration for which was Schiller’s lines, translated into Ukrainian. To this day, Valentin Vasilyevich actively writes. Over the years he has created ten symphonies and three string quartets. Do not count the number of small works. This composer rightfully earned the title of the people, because he does not possess snobbery. He eagerly works for variety and film. For example, he wrote music for several Kira Muratova films.
