Mikhail Bronner (b.1952) is a well-known contemporary Russian composer. He graduated from the Moscow Conservatoire (Music Academy) and completed his postgraduate studies in 1981. Bronner has composed well over 400 compositions for opera, ballet, symphony orchestra, choral groups, voice, and chamber music, several of which have included the bayan, as well as many award-winning works for films. His works have been performed all over the world. It is his work “So Steht Es Geschrieben” (So It Is Written) (“KATUV”) (in Hebrew “It Is Written”) which opens this CD. It was written for Piano, Bayan, and Symphony Orchestra in 2004. It is a magnificent work featuring all these many musicians. Luckily for the listener, the superb work of the Producers and Mastering of the recording (Dr. Herbert Scheibenreif and Johannes Scheibenreif) allows us to hear both the piano (Svyatoslav Lips) and the bayan (Friedrich Lips) to whom the composition was dedicated, whether above or within the full sound of the complete Symphony Orchestra of the Gnessin Academy RAM, conducted by Andrey Lebedev. It is a marvelous recording! “KATUV” is a long work of approximately 37+ Minutes, but it will never ever bore the listener! This is a work which never stands still; it is always moving forward. The piano part is extremely active and almost never silent; the bayan part is also active and particularly contributes to this forward rhythmic motion heard throughout the composition. In fact, Friedrich Lips could build a lecture based just on the mastery of bellows control needed in the performance of this piece; you will hear it and recognize the artistry required. The blending of the bayan with various orchestral instruments is superb and often provides unusual tonal colors. This composition would be one I might request if I could have a choice of repertoire for a symphony orchestra using the bayan (and the piano) throughout; it is an important addition to the already growing list of such pieces which have been composed especially for Friedrich Lips. It holds the attention of the listener throughout; it has interesting melodic intervals with a distinguishable rhythmic pulse which demands notice. When you listen, you must sit in a room where you can turn the volume up and feel the music surround you as you listen. Marvelous performances abound throughout from beginning to end. Professor Lips has also written some interesting notes about the composition included with the CD. Regarding the title, he offers “the author understands this expression more as the concept of “destiny,” as the idea of the predetermination and inevitability of events occurring in human life and the world. Dreams and desires, love and despair, fear, hope, pain, joy - all this is intertwined in the life of every person.” Next on this CD you will find the solo performance by Friedrich Lips (b. 1948) of the very popular bayan solo, “Suite in Four Movements,” written by Alexander Kholminov (1925-2015) which was written in 1951 and, as stated, “immediately became a classic in the repertoire of accordionists.” For a period of time it could always be heard during any of the major accordion competitions throughout the world! This is a particularly gratifying recording since it features Friedrich Lips as a soloist and, although from archives recorded in 1970, one may well imagine it shows us the great technical command of the young Lips when he won the Klingenthal competition in 1969. Kholminov has also written other valuable additions to the repertoire: “Concert Symphony” in 1998, the “Autumn Melody” in 2005, the “Concert with Symphony Orchestra” in 2008/2009. Everyone will enjoy this particular piece, but all those players who have at one time have studied this “Suite in Four Movements” will particularly love hearing this performance! The final composition included on this CD is “Odessa Quodlibet” which is a quartet for violin, cello, bayan and piano, written for Lips’ “Piazzolla Studio” by Efrem Podgaits (b. 1949) in 2014 (revised 2018). The CD notes written by Lips state, “Quodlibet is a piece of humorous character, built on a combination of popular melodies.” Oh, how true! You may recognize some of them without actually knowing the titles, but you will enjoy their inclusion and find it fun to hear how Podgaits has used them. Again, Friedrich Lips has included interesting commentary on this piece. In my own case, I find this Podgaits composition quite easy to like because of “its absolutely distinctive humor.” The composer writes, “The idea of writing on the themes of Odessa songs belongs to Friedrich Lips. This is a gift from the composer to a friend and favorite performer.” It is also a wonderfully entertaining gift to all of those who may listen to this performance. I can imagine it will make you anxious to check out all the other compositions by Efrem Podgaits. The sound production throughout this CD is excellent. Lips CD 029 Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers October, 2020. Available online at: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/Boutique/inform/lips/CD029.htm |
