Vyacheslav Artyomov: On the Threshold of a Bright World, Ave atque vale & Ave, crux alba Russian National Philharmonic Orchestra, Vladimir Ashkenazy

• 1 Symphony of the Way: II. On the Threshold of a Bright World 36:31
• 2 Ave atque vale 12:15
• 3 Ave, crux alba 03:06
• Total Runtime 51:52

Info for Vyacheslav Artyomov: On the Threshold of a Bright World, Ave atque vale & Ave, crux alba

Vyacheslav Artyomov is considered by many to be Russia’s greatest living composer. After the fall of the Soviet regime his music has travelled the world to great acclaim. It is deep, ultimately spiritual and brilliantly crafted, with influences from the Russian symphonic tradition colored by Mahler, Honegger and Messiaen to name a few – but melded into a unique voice. This is one of a pair of related albums and contains a Symphony which is the second of his gigantic symphonic tetralogy “Symphony of the Way”, commissioned by Mstislav Rostropovich to whose memory the disc is dedicated.

The symphony is accompanied by another major work, Ave Atque Vale for percussion and orchestra, and the much more traditional Ave, Crux Alba – a setting of the Hymn of the Knights of Malta. The conductor, Ashkenazy, needs no introduction, being one of the most lauded and accomplished figures in music today. Overall, this is a disc of high importance in the symphonic repertoire (world premiere recordings).

“Impressively annotated, impeccably produced, neatly packaged.. The music in both these CD's and the composer deserve wider exposure outside Russia. Artyomov's music is mystical, Russian at the core. He is a master of orchestral writing and of unusual instrumentation. Many of his melodies have their roots in old Slavonic chant. A most unusual talent whose day has yet to come insofar as the American concert-going audience is concerned.” (Rafael de Acha, Rafael Music Notes)

“World premiere recordings of two major works by Russian composer Vyacheslav Artyomov, completed by the short transcription of the Maltese Hymn in excellent performances conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy. The expressive music is good for an interesting discovery." (Norbert Tischer (Pizzicato, Luxembourg)

National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia
Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor

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