XXXIII. USTVOLSKAYA, Galina: Grand Duet for Cello and Piano

XXXIII. USTVOLSKAYA, Galina (1919-2006)

Grand Duet for Cello and Piano (1959)
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Rainer Crosett, cello
Dina Vainshtein, piano
(23:12)

Ustvolskaya studied with Shostakovich in 1939 -- his only female pupil.

Like Shostakovich -- who got into deep trouble with Stalin over his non-patriotic music -- Ustvolskaya's radical compositions were unheard until the 60's when the Soviet government grew more tolerant of the contemporary arts scene.

This turbulent music features a lot of interplay from the lowest and highest notes of the piano, with a brusque cello part -- until the final movement, which has just a trace of the moody Shostakovich, who said of her:

"I am convinced that the music of G.I. Ustvolskaya will achieve world fame, and be valued by all who hold truth to be the essential element of music."

Spread the word -- maybe she'll eventually achieve that world fame.