Roslavets - Three Compositions (1914)

Nikolai Roslavets (1881-1944) is sometimes called the "Russian Schoenberg" and was certainly the first Russian composer to use a system of tone organization similar to Schoenberg's serialism. Before the 1917 revolution, Roslavets was regarded as a cutting-edge composer comparable to Scriabin. Interestingly, Marc-Andre Hamelin describes Roslavets's music as "Scriabin on acid." After the revolution and the formation of the RAPM (Russian Association of Proletarian Musicians), Roslavets was criticized and harrassed for his modernism. In the late 1920s, he left the Communist Party and in 1931 moved to Tashkent. There he conducted for a music theater and composed simple pieces in accordance with Socialist Realism. He died in obscurity and his name and music was mostly forgotten until the 1970s.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• roslavets
• mosolov
• scriabin
• shostakovich
• prokofiev
• avant
• garde

[PiEndsWith0]

@TheFanwindow

That's what they've said about Beethoven's Grosse Fuge when he released it in 1826. Now it's a, to quote Stravinsky, perfect miracle. And it's very emotive etc. The lesson to be learned there is that this is novel and people, i.e. us, aren't used, by definition, to hearing true novelty. Give it time and love.

[Etude]

@TheFanwindow I'm in the same position but some recent discussions have got me thinking about it. The focus is moving away from enrapturing the listener and more into incorporating philosophy or math into music. No one's going to cry with joy listening to this music as they would listening to a huge Romantic concerto. Although I woe the fate of music, musical liberalism like this is destined to happen. I'm not interested in the slightest bit, but you can't help wondering: what will they do next?

[Emanresu56]

@TheFanwindow I'd say don't worry about it.

[TheFanwindow]

I'm a big fan of classical music, but I have an issue. I can never seem to get emotionally engaged with this kind of modern music. It's not that I don't appreciate it. The difficulty is staggering and the piano playing is remarkable. I just don't enjoy the music; I don't consider it beautiful. I'm not sure if I'm listening incorrectly, if I'm too ignorant of the structure of this kind of music, or if it's simply not my taste.

Any advice?

[lucasbretels]

I just discovered this man Roslavets, very impressive composition(s), made during WW1,,,I will listen to his other compositions! Thank you for this beauty!

[SlyStallone208]

This music is not that technically challenging but the thought that goes into such a composition is mind blowing. I have been trying my hand at composing lately but I am blown away by such unorthodox and genius music.

[21Walls]

I didn't even notice the serialism until I read the description! It baffles me as to how one could mange so many complex rhythms, especially on an instrument as complex as the piano.

[bersa888]

These are great. Nice to know another composer of was able to "make sense of serialism" ;-)

[Rickyrickie]

Very interesting compositions, worth of being known and studied!