Valentin Silvestrov - Hieroglyphen der Nacht (2017) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Released in time for the great Ukrainian composer's 80th birthday (on 30 September), the album 'Hieroglyphen der Nacht' features Valentin Silvestrov's music for solo violoncello and for two cellos. German cellist Anja Lechner has had a long association with Silvestrov, first documented on the Grammy-nominated 'leggiero, pesante' in 2001. Here she plays, alone, Augenblicke der Stille und Traurigkeit (of which she is the dedicatee), Lacrimosa, Walzer der Alpengöckchen, and Elegie (which calls for her to play both cello and tamtams). Lechner is joined by French cellist Agnès Vesterman, a frequent duo partner, to play Drei Stücke (dedicated to both musicians), 8.VI. 1810…zum Geburtstag R.A. Schumann, Zwei Serenaden, and 25.X.1893…zum Andenken an P.I. Tschaikowskij. As so often with Silvestrov, the compositions often take the form of metaphorical conversations with composers of the past and the present. Tchaikovsky and Schumann are amongst the composers referenced here, while Lacrimosa is a reaction to music of his friend Tigran Mansurian. "My own music is a response to and an echo of what already exists," says Silvestrov, viewing his oeuvre as a series of "codas" to music history. Hieroglyphen der Nacht was recorded at Lugano's Auditorio Stelio Molo RSI, and produced by Manfred Eicher.

Tracklist:

Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937)

Drei Stücke für zwei Violoncelli (2002, zweite Version 2009)
Anja Lechner und Agnès Vesterman gewidmet
1. Hieroglyphen der Nacht 01:55
2. Nachhall eines Walzers 02:38
3. Nachhall einer Sarabande 03:49

Elegie für Violoncello solo und zwei Tamtam (1999)
Ivan Monighetti gewidmet
4. I 02:01
5. II 03:11
6. III 11:10

8.VI.1810 … zum Geburtstag R.A.Schumann für zwei Violoncelli (2004)
7. Elegie 03:53
8. Serenade 01:51
9. Menuett 02:26

10. Augenblicke der Stille und Traurigkeit für Violoncello solo (2003)
Anja Lechner gewidmet

Serenaden für zwei Violoncelli (2002)
11. Abendserenade 03:11
12. Augenblicke einer Serenade 02:29

13. Lacrimosa für Violoncello solo (2004)
Tigran Mansurian gewidmet

25.X.1893 … zum Andenken an P.I.Tschaikowskij
für zwei Violoncelli (2004)
14. Präludium „Geburt der Melodie“ 02:50
15. Wiegenlied 04:38
16. Serenade 03:46

17. Walzer der Alpenglöckchen für Violoncello solo (2004)
Ivan Monighetti gewidmet

Personnel:
Anja Lechner (cello, tamtam)
Agnès Vesterman (cello)