Sofia Gubaidulina (1931- )
"Every composition is an enormous labor for me," Gubaidulina told Karen
Campbell of the Christian Science Monitor. At the beginning, she said,
she hears in her head "a vertical sound of colorful, moving, clashing
chords, completely mixed up and jumbled. It is wonderful and beautiful,
but it isn't real. My job is to turn that vertical sound into a
horizontal line. Those two lines, horizontal and vertical, make a
cross, and I think about that when I compose." That statement might
serve as a kind of compositional credo for Gubaidulina, whose work has
successfully merged spiritual influences with extremely original
techniques. That combination hampered Gubaidulina's early career, when
the repression of creative artists by the Soviet state was at its
height, but in the eclectic 1980s and 1990s she became one of the
hottest new composers on the international classical scene.- from Answers.com
COMPOSITIONS Gubaidulina Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre
Fatseliya, vocal-symphonic cycle for soprano and orchestra (1956)
Piano Quintet (1957)
Chaconne for Piano (1962)
Allegro Rustico, flute and piano (1963)
Sonata for Piano (1965)
Five Etudes, harp, double bass, and one percussionist (1965)
Pantomime, double bass and piano (1966)
Night in Memphis (Nacht in Memphis), cantata for mezzo-soprano, male chorus and orchestra (1968)
Toys (Musikalisches Spielzeug), a collection of 14 piano pieces for children (1969)
Rubayat, cantata for baritone and chamber orchestra (1969)
String Quartet No. 1 (1971)
Fairytale Poem (Märchenpoem), orchestra (1971)
Concordanza, chamber ensemble (or orchestra) (1971) ~ top of page ~
Toccata-Troncata for Piano (1971)
Detto II, cello and instrumental ensemble (1972)
Roses, 5 Romances, voice and piano (1972)
Counting Rhymes (Abzählreime) (5 songs), voice and piano (1972)
Music for Harpsichord and Percussion Instruments, harpsichord and one percussionist (1972)
Invention for Piano (1974)
Quattro, 2 trumpets and 2 trombones (1974)
Rumore e Silenzio, one percussionist and harpsichord(celesta) (1974)
Ten Preludes [Etudes], cello solo (1974)
Sonata for Double Bass and Piano (1975)
Concerto for Bassoon and Low Strings (1975)
Dots, Lines and Zigzags (Punkte, Linien und Zickzack), bass clarinet and piano (1976)
Concerto for Trio, 3 trumpets (1976)
2 Ballads, 2 trumpets and piano (1976)
Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band (1976)
Light and Darkness, organ (Hell und dunkel) (1976)
Lamento, tuba and piano (1977)
Misterioso, 7 percussion (1977)
Quartet, 4 flutes (1977)
On Tatar Folk Themes (3 collections), domra and piano (1977)
Song Without Words, trumpet and piano (1977)
Duo-Sonata, 2 bassoons (1977)
Introitus, concerto for piano and chamber orchestra (1978)
Detto I, sonata for organ and 1 percussion (1978)
Sounds of the Forest (Klänge des Waldes), flute and piano (1978)
De Profundis, solo bayan (1978)
Salutant, capriccio for large light orchestra (1978)
Jubilatio, 4 percussion (1979)
2 Pieces, horn and piano (1979)
In Croce, cello and organ (1979) ~ top of page ~
Garden of Joy and Sorrow (Garten von Freuden und Traurigkeiten), fl, hp, va and speaker (ad lib.) (1980)
Sonata (Rejoice!),violin and cello (1981)
Descensio, 3 trombones, 3 percussion, harp, harpsichord (celeste), celeste (piano) (1981)
Seven Words (Sieben Worte), cello, bayan and strings (1982)
Perception, soprano, baritone and 7 strings (1983)
Quasi Hoquetus, viola, bassoon (cello) and piano (1984)
Hommage à Marina Tsvetayeva, suite for chorus (1984)
In the Beginning Was Rhythm, 7 percussion (1984)
Sonata for Bayan Solo (1985)
Offertorium, concerto for violin and orchestra (1980-86)
"Stimmen... Verstummen...", symphony in 12 movements, orchestra (1986)
String Quartet No. 2 (1987)
String Quartet No. 3 (1987)
Hommage à T.S. Eliot, soprano and octet (1987)
Witty Waltzing in the Style of Johann Strauss, soprano and chamber ensemble (1987)
Hour of the Soul (Stunde der Seele), solo percussion, mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1976-88)
2 Songs on German Folk Poetry, mezzo-soprano, flute, cello and harpsichord (1988)
String Trio, violin, viola and cello (1989)
Jauchzt der Gott, chorus and organ (1989)
The Unasked Answer (Antwort ohne Frage), composition for 3 >orchestras (1989)
Pro et Contra, orchestra (1989)
Alleluja, mixed chorus, boy's voice, orchestra and organ (1990)
Silenzio, bayan, violin, and cello (1991) (5 pieces)
Pari e dispari (Even and Uneven), 7 percussion (including harpsichord) (1991)
Aus dem Stundenbuch, concerto for cello, orchestra, male chorus and speaker (1991)
Stufen (Steps), orchestra (1972-92)
String Quartet No. 4 (1993)
Meditation on the Bach Chorale "Vor deinem Thron tret ich hiermit", harpsichord and string quintet (1993)
Dancer on a Tightrope (Der Seiltänzer), violin and piano (1993)
"And: The Festivities at Their Height" ("Und: Das Fest ist in vollem Gang"), cello concerto (1993)
...Early in the Morning, Right Before Waking..., 7 koto (4 tenor, 3 bass) (1993) ~ top of page ~
Now Always Snow, chamber ensemble, chamber chorus and speaker (tape) (1993, rev. 1997)
Figures of Time (Zeitgestalten), orchestra (1994)
Music for Flute, Strings, and Percussion, flute concerto (1994)
In anticipation... (In Erwartung), saxophone quartet and 6 percussion (1994)
Galgenlieder (à 3), voice, doublebass and percussion (1995-96) (15 pieces)
Galgenlieder (à 5), voice, flute, percussion, bayan and doublebass (1996) (14 pieces)
Quarternion, 4 cellos (1996)
Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (1996)
Impromptu, violin, flute and strings (1996)
Canticle of the Sun (Sonnengesang), chorus, cello and 2 percussion (1997)
In the Shadow of the Tree, solo koto, bass koto, zheng and orchestra (1998)
Two Paths (A Dedication to Mary and Martha), orchestra (1999)
St. John Passion, soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chamber chorus, large chorus and orchestra (1999-2000)
Risonanza (Resonance), solo organ with chamber ensemble (2001)
St. John Easter, soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, double chorus and orchestra (2001)
The Rider on the White Horse, orchestra (2002)
At the Edge of the Abyss, 7 cellos and 2 waterphones (2002)
Mirage: The Dancing Sun, 8 cellos (2002)
The Light of the End, orchestra (2003)
Under the Sign of Scorpio (Variations on Six Hexachords), orchestra (2003)
Transformation (Metamorphosis), chamber octet (2004)
WORKS BY GENRE Gubaidulina Links ~ top of page ~
Orchestra
Fairytale Poem (Märchenpoem), orchestra (1971)
Concordanza, chamber ensemble (or orchestra) (1971)
Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Band (1976)
Salutant, capriccio for large light orchestra (1978)
"Stimmen... Verstummen...", symphony in 12 movements, orchestra (1986)
The Unasked Answer (Antwort ohne Frage), composition for 3 orchestras (1989)
Pro et Contra, orchestra (1989)
Stufen (Steps), orchestra (1972-92)
Figures of Time (Zeitgestalten), orchestra (1994)
Two Paths (A Dedication to Mary and Martha), orchestra (1999)
The Rider on the White Horse, orchestra (2002)
The Light of the End, orchestra (2003)
Under the Sign of Scorpio (Variations on Six Hexachords), orchestra (2003)
Soloist(s) w/Orchestra or Ensemble
Concerto for Bassoon and Low Strings (1975)
Introitus, concerto for piano and chamber orchestra (1978)
Seven Words (Sieben Worte), cello, bayan and strings (1982)
Offertorium, concerto for violin and orchestra (1980-86)
Aus dem Stundenbuch, concerto for cello, orchestra, male chorus and speaker (1991)
"And: The Festivities at Their Height" ("Und: Das Fest ist in vollem Gang"), cello concerto (1993)
Music for Flute, Strings, and Percussion, flute concerto (1994)
Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (1996)
Impromptu, violin, flute and strings (1996)
In the Shadow of the Tree, solo koto, bass koto, zheng and orchestra (1998)
Chorus w/Orchestra
Night in Memphis (Nacht in Memphis), cantata for mezzo-soprano, male chorus and orchestra (1968)
Alleluja, mixed chorus, boy's voice, orchestra and organ (1990)
Aus dem Stundenbuch, concerto for cello, orchestra, male chorus and speaker (1991)
Now Always Snow, chamber ensemble, chamber chorus and speaker (tape) (1993, rev. 1997)
St. John Passion, soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, chamber chorus, large chorus and orchestra (1999-2000)
St. John Easter, soprano, tenor, baritone, bass, double chorus and orchestra (2001)
~ top of page ~
Choral
Hommage à Marina Tsvetayeva, suite for chorus (1984)
Jauchzt der Gott, chorus and organ (1989)
Canticle of the Sun (Sonnengesang), chorus, cello and 2 percussion (1997)
Chamber
Piano Quintet (1957)
Five Etudes, harp, double bass, and one percussionist (1965)
String Quartet No. 1 (1971)
Detto II, cello and instrumental ensemble (1972)
Music for Harpsichord and Percussion Instruments, harpsichord and one percussionist (1972)
Quattro, 2 trumpets and 2 trombones (1974)
Rumore e Silenzio, one percussionist and harpsichord(celesta) (1974)
Concerto for Trio, 3 trumpets (1976)
2 Ballads, 2 trumpets and piano (1976)
Misterioso, 7 percussion (1977)
Quartet, 4 flutes (1977)
Duo-Sonata, 2 bassoons (1977)
Detto I, sonata for organ and 1 percussion (1978)
Jubilatio, 4 percussion (1979)
Garden of Joy and Sorrow (Garten von Freuden und Traurigkeiten), fl, hp, va and speaker (ad lib.) (1980)
Sonata (Rejoice!),violin and cello (1981)
Descensio, 3 trombones, 3 percussion, harp, harpsichord (celeste), celeste (piano) (1981)
Quasi Hoquetus, viola, bassoon (cello) and piano (1984)
In the Beginning Was Rhythm, 7 percussion (1984)
String Quartet No. 2 (1987)
String Quartet No. 3 (1987)
String Trio, violin, viola and cello (1989)
Silenzio, bayan, violin, and cello (1991) (5 pieces)
Pari e dispari (Even and Uneven), 7 percussion (including harpsichord) (1991) ~ top of page ~
String Quartet No. 4 (1993)
Meditation on the Bach Chorale "Vor deinem Thron tret ich hiermit", harpsichord and string quintet (1993)
...Early in the Morning, Right Before Waking..., 7 koto (4 tenor, 3 bass) (1993)
In anticipation... (In Erwartung), saxophone quartet and 6 percussion (1994)
Quarternion, 4 cellos (1996)
Risonanza (Resonance), solo organ with chamber ensemble (2001)
At the Edge of the Abyss, 7 cellos and 2 waterphones (2002)
Mirage: The Dancing Sun, 8 cellos (2002)
Transformation (Metamorphosis), chamber octet (2004)
Solo Instrument
Allegro Rustico, flute and piano (1963)
Pantomime, double bass and piano (1966)
Ten Preludes [Etudes], cello solo (1974)
Sonata for Double Bass and Piano (1975)
Dots, Lines and Zigzags (Punkte, Linien und Zickzack), bass clarinet and piano (1976)
Lamento, tuba and piano (1977)
On Tatar Folk Themes (3 collections), domra and piano (1977)
Song Without Words, trumpet and piano (1977)
Sounds of the Forest (Klänge des Waldes), flute and piano (1978)
De Profundis, solo bayan (1978)
2 Pieces, horn and piano (1979)
In Croce, cello and organ (1979)
Dancer on a Tightrope (Der Seiltänzer), violin and piano (1993)
Piano/Organ
Chaconne for Piano (1962)
Sonata for Piano (1965)
Toys (Musikalisches Spielzeug), a collection of 14 piano pieces for children (1969)
Toccata-Troncata for Piano (1971)
Invention for Piano (1974)
Light and Darkness, organ (Hell und dunkel) (1976) ~ top of page ~
Sonata for Bayan Solo (1985)
Vocal
Fatseliya, vocal-symphonic cycle for soprano and orchestra (1956)
Rubayat, cantata for baritone and chamber orchestra (1969)
Roses, 5 Romances, voice and piano (1972)
Counting Rhymes (Abzählreime) (5 songs), voice and piano (1972)
Perception, soprano, baritone and 7 strings (1983)
Hommage à T.S. Eliot, soprano and octet (1987)
Witty Waltzing in the Style of Johann Strauss, soprano and chamber ensemble (1987)
Hour of the Soul (Stunde der Seele), solo percussion, mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1976-88)
2 Songs on German Folk Poetry, mezzo-soprano, flute, cello and harpsichord (1988)
Galgenlieder (à 3), voice, doublebass and percussion (1995-96) (15 pieces)
Galgenlieder (à 5), voice, flute, percussion, bayan and doublebass (1996) (14 pieces)
GUBAIDULINA LINKS Works by Genre ~ top of page ~
Structural Symbolism in the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina (by Fay Neary)
Music, Text, Meaning (by Don Mager)
A Russian Composer's Path to Freedom (Karen Campbell, The Christian Science Monitor)
Gubaidulina @ Wikipedia
Gubaidulina @ Composition Today
Gubaidulina @ Boosey & Hawkes
Gubaidulina @ Karadar Classical Music
Gubaidulina @ musicianguide
Gubaidulina @ MusicWeb International
Gubaidulina @ The New York Times
Gubaidulina @ G. Schirmer
Streaming Audio
Gubaidulina @ last.fm
Gubaidulina @ Rhapsody
Recordings
Gubaidulina @ ArkivMusic
Gubaidulina @ ClassicsOnline
Gubaidulina @ YouTube
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