Composer of Next Week

[Uncle Monty]

Looks like an interesting week, featuring the young Shostakovich and his contemporaries, along the lines of "Young Dmitri and his friends", namely Roslavets, Deshevov, Mosolov, Zhivotov and Popov. Apart from Roslavets, these are just names to me, so it should be instructive!

[french frank]

Is Mosolov the Iron Foundry man?

[Uncle Monty]

Is Mosolov the Iron Foundry man?

Yes, apparently so. "Extreme dissonance and chromaticism", it says here. That should wake a few people up! But apparently he didn't bother with tone-rows (memorably pronounced by Vaughan Williams to rhyme with "wows"), he just hit all the notes together in chords. I like that in a composer :cool2:

[umslopogaas]

I have a Russian Melodiya LP of Mosolov's music including (inevitably) 'The Iron Foundry', but also 'Piano Concerto 1' and 'Soldiers Songs: Suite for Russian Folk Orchestra'. Its a long time since I played it and I have to admit, its only 'The Iron Foundry' that sticks in the memory.

The sleeve note on 'The Iron Foundry' is worth quoting (in the english translation):

"A. Mosolov undoubtedly tried to create the impression of a huge working machine. The music impresses with its vivid harmonic scene - rhythmic drive and laconic statement - the piece lasts a little over three minutes. The effect of increasing mechanical movement is achieved with simple and graphic means: the work's basis is the first bar: "revolving" figure of violas and clarinets against the background of the trombone and trumpet roaring crescendo. New details gradually weave into the musical texture: raw trumpet lines, brilliant violin flageolet notes, the sound of a tam-tam and, lastly, the rattling of a metal sheet specially incorporated in the orchestra. The middle part of the work is deliberately tough, full of scratching dissonances of the brass. The symphonic episode's centre is a graphic deliberately awkward statement of French horns: the musicians stand up."

Trumpet roaring crescendo, rattling of a metal sheet, violin flageolet notes (? what are they?), scratching dissonances of the brass and a graphic deliberately awkward statement of French horns. Ready? Hold onto your seats, it only lasts three minutes.

[StephenO]

I have to admit my complete ignorance of all the composers except Shostakovich so I'll be listening with interest.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Well Monday's programme is fascinating, setting Shostakovitch's compositions in their historical context...

[Bryn]

Thanks for that quote, umslopopgaas. I have that CD, but without any of the accompanying documantation, (I got it in a sale).

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

This was Radio 3 at its very best.

[Oddball]

Is Mosolov the Iron Foundry man?

Must play the Mosolov Piano Concerto again - brilliant!

This music seems to anticipate any number of West European composers - including Bartok?

[Suffolkcoastal]

Well the Mosolov and Bartok 1st Concerto are exactly contemporary (both 1926-7).