Sofia Gubaidulina - "Stimmen...Verstummen", Stufen

Like so many of her works, this symphony in twelve parts, “Stimmen…Verstummen” has a distinct visual quality about it. Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Grieg – they didn’t write a note or some choreographer could make a ballet out of it. Perhaps it’s because these composers often derived their inspiration from sagas and fairy tales…magic, dream-like episodes, as in children’s tales, are to be found abundantly in Gubaidulina’s works; indeed, her hallucinogenic music can almost be “seen”. But one had better stay alert, or most unexpectedly be devoured by a couple of ferocious dissonants.
This composer cannot be trusted. She’ll sing you to sleep and next, cut your throat. It is obvious she prefers the Big Bad Wolf to Little Red Riding Hood. That’s Gubaidulina all over - suspense. Of course she will pretend her unpredictability is caused by her religious struggles, but don’t be fooled. She is the witch trying to get you.
So, this is a symphony. Or better, one of her thrillers. Somebody has to make a movie out of it.

tracks:

1-12 - "Stimmen…Verstummen", Symphony in twelve movements
13 - Stufen (Gennady Rozhdestvensky, narrator)