One of the most controversial composers of the 20th century is Valentin Silvestrov. He chose for himself an unpopular direction in music - the avant-garde. However, after listening to the works of this composer, one cannot say that they represent 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 German teacher and engineer. Being educated people, the parents of the future composer tried to give their son a versatile education. They did not focus on individual objects. But by the age of fifteen, it became clear that Valentin Silvestrov gravitates to music. Then he tried to write his first works.
The future composer received only an initial musical education. After graduation, he entered the construction institute, where he studied for three years. After Valentin Sylvestrov dropped out of school 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 the composer to gain popularity?
The youth of the composer came in very difficult years. He began to write in the late fifties, when the tastes of people were ruled by a plenum of composers and an artistic council. Any works were mercilessly criticized. Young composers and artists at that time did not like the defenders of socialist realism.
Silvestrov Valentin Vasilievich did not want to retreat. He dreamed of writing only what he liked. A man once 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 was performed from the stage and printed. Most of them were published only after the fall of the socialist regime.
Final exam
As a graduation paper, Silvestrov Valentine presented a symphony written in the spirit of Stravinsky and Schoenberg. It was not accepted by teachers, and the final exam had to be taken a year after the end of the course of the conservatory. In those years, atonality, politonality and dodecafony were a real challenge for the commission. In 1964, a novice composer presented a work entitled "Classical Overture", which was well received by teachers. In its creation, the methods 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 clear that Valentin Silvestrov was an extraordinary composer, distinguished by his sense of style. He chose a direction that was misunderstood in the sixties. The man defied the socialist system. The second thesis confirmed that he could write classical plays understandable to society, but did not want to do this.
For a long time, Valentin Vasilyevich was not accepted into the Union of Composers. After he became a member, pressure from the board of this organization began. At one of the plenary sessions of Ukrainian youth, B. Schirma incorrectly spoke in the direction of avant-garde composers. Then, from the group of performers and authors, an unhappy rumble rose. As a result, everyone who was at the plenum and related to avant-garde music was expelled from the Union. Silvestrov was restored only after three years, thanks to the request of Khrennikov, Shostakovich and Khachaturian.
Fame
This composer has a very complicated biography. Valentin 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 Silvestrov's works received recognition in the Netherlands at the Gaudeamus competition, and three years earlier, Valentin Vasilievich received the Kusevitsky Prize in the United States.
Abroad, the works of this author were warmly received. Therefore, they often sounded precisely on the western stage. In the circles of Soviet cultural figures, this state of affairs was mistaken for dissidentism. In the USSR, in the seventies, Sylvesters, Schnittke and Denisov attracted attention with their unusual sound and scandalous reputation.
Homeland Recognition
For a long time, Silvestrov’s work was not interested. Many works have not been written about him, connoisseurs and music critics have not delved into the style of this composer. The fact is that the material for study is not the easiest. Silvestrov’s music can be understood only now, when a true connoisseur cannot be surprised. In the USSR, until the beginning of the eighties, Silvestrov’s work was not perceived, 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. They began to go to his concerts because the avant-garde became fashionable. In 1989, the composer was awarded the extraordinary title of People's Artist of Ukraine.
For a long time, Valentin Vasilievich was not allowed to travel abroad. But Perestroika was able to make its contribution here too - he was given the opportunity to go to capitalist America. Previously, only after visiting several socialist countries, one could hope to leave for the USA, but even here an exception was made for the composer.
Silvestrov's music
You can say a lot about the music that Valentin Sylvestrov wrote. Interesting facts of his biography draw attention to the composer's work. Over time, his works 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 avant-garde technique began to be combined with tonal thinking.
One of the composer's most interesting works is the cantatas based on verses by various authors. In 1973, the author experimented with the verses 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 is actively writing. Over the years, he created ten symphonies and three string quartets. Do not count the number of small works. This composer rightfully earned the title of folk, because he does not have snobbery. He is very willing to work for pop and film. For example, he wrote music for several films by Kira Muratova.