EDISON DENISOV  

Edison Denisov studied with Shebalin at the Moscow Conservatory, where he later taught instrumentation and, from 1990, composition. He spent the winter of 1990–1 at the electronic studio of IRCAM in Paris, on the invitation of Pierre Boulez. After a car accident in 1994 he spent much of the end of his life in Paris, where he died in 1996. With Schnittke and Gubaidulina he was among the leading figures in post-Stalinist Russian music, drawing on contemporary techniques from serial to electronic.

Choral and Vocal Music

Denisov’s vocal music includes a Requiem, a Kyrie in homage to Mozart, and Life and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, using biblical texts and excerpts from the Russian Orthodox liturgy. His solo songs, with instrumental ensemble or piano, use a wide range of texts.

Stage Works

Denisov’s first opera, Soldier Ivan, in 1959, is based on a Russian folk-tale. His 30 or more stage works include ballets and incidental music.

Orchestral and Instrumental Music

Denisov left two symphonies for full orchestra and two chamber symphonies, in addition to a number of concertos, the last two for flute, harp and orchestra and for flute, clarinet and orchestra respectively. His chamber music includes duo sonatas, trios, string quartets and quintets, in addition to a variety of music for other ensembles, and for solo piano.