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Musical Opinion

Here is a great masterpiece, and no mistake. The first-ever setting of the Roman liturgy by a Russian composer, this great work appeared in the final days of the Soviet Union, which caused something of a sensation at its Moscow premiere – not only for the fact of its existence, but also for the originality and masterly quality of the composer’s invention. Artyomov is without question one of the greatest living composers, yet his music has not made the impact in the West it manifestly ought to have done.

At last, this masterpiece is now generally available on disc, in a performance of thrilling and moving impact. “Artyomov sees himself as heir to the great Romantic tradition. Apart from this. His compositions are inspired by the Russian spiritual trends which developed in the early 20th century, but were brutally stopped by the terrible events in 1917.” Thus writes the composer’s poetess wife Valeriya Lyubetskaya in the accompanying booklet, comments with which one can only agree. This recording was made at the time of the 1988 premiere, and the performance is both thrilling and moving.

A must for any lover of 20th century music, Russian or not.