Do you know Rodion Shchedrin?

[frederic]

Do you know this modern russian composer?
I've heard his piano concertos and some of his piano pieces and they sound really fun!

[xenia]

I know but didn't play anything of him.
He is very interesting !

 

[titos]

  Shchedrin is one of the most interesting composers of our time, I think. I have played several times his 2 Polyphonic Pieces (the 2nd is perhaps his most famous piano work, Basso ostinato), his Sonata (with a thrilling last movement!) and his First Piano Concerto. His writing is very pianistic indeed and his use of polyphonic structures always interesting. Generally he has composed many very good concert pieces!
  Anyway,my favourite work of his is the Carmen Suite (for Orchestra)! It's fanatstic!!

[Villon]

Allow me to disagree with Titos.
There is nothing else as ugly in the music repertoire as Schedrin Carmen Suite - a music of Bizet run over Russian revolutionary steam engine. Ad 25 drums to any peace (except African folk music) and you will certainly kill it.
Ugly!

[frederic]

Allow me to disagree with Villon and agree with titos  
Shchedrin's Carmen Suite is wonderful!
When i first heard it on the radio i was amazed. After hearing it i went and pulled out the CD of the original Bizet's Carmen and i wasn't impressed at all. The Shchedrin arrangment made the original sound lousy.
Hey the percussion was the best bit, Villon!
Just my opinion...  

[ned]

Titos:
I have the sheet music for the Basso Ostinato but have not found a recording. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks
Ned

[Villon]

Well, Frederic.

If percussion is the best part - lets write a transcription without strings and double the number of drums.

Francois Villon

[titos]

  Shchedrin himself has recorded the Basso Ostinato, Ned, under the Russian label "Melodiya". In my opinion, the piece can be played much better, but still you will get a good idea of it. I don't know any other recordings of the piece. Oxana Yablonskaya plays it in a fantastic way, I have heard her live performing it!
  As far as the Carmen Suite is concerned, (thanks Frederic for sharing my feelings ) I am glad there is such a discussion with contradicting arguments. I respect your view, Villon, but allow me to disagree completely. I believe, that the themes of Carmen are absolutely suitable for many transcriptions, totally different in style, and that is exactly the greatness of Bizet's opera! the fact, that so many composers have composed important works based on the melodies of Carmen proves this.

[frederic]

About the percussion, Villon. No, i didn't mean the percussion was the only good thing. If i did mean that,i would just go hear a bass drum solo.

[frederic]

Oh, about the basso ositinato. I've got a recording of Kuzmin playing it. I think its not a bad performance. I am actually looking for the music for that. Also 'A la Albeniz'. Apparently it is only available in the US.

[la_carrenio2003]

Dear Villon:
I just read the whole discussion and I wanted to ask what possibly could mean "ugly" in a music of well known quality and reputation worlwide as Schedrin's.  No hard feelings, it's just that we are in 21st century yet and many things actually happened in music until this time. But maybe you just meant that you don't like it, is another matter.