Aleksandre Machavariani

Aleksi Machavariani (Georgian ალექსი მაჭავარიანი, also Russian Alexei Machavariani; * Septemberjul 10 / 23 September 1913greg in Gori, .. † 31 December 1995 in Tbilisi ) was a Georgian composer.

Life

Machavariani studied composition at the Conservatory in 1930 in Tbilisi; his postgraduate studies he graduated in 1939 with Pyotr Ryazanov. From 1934 to 1937, 1939 to 1946, he headed the music department of the Comedy Theatre in Tbilisi. From 1940 he worked as a teacher of music theory at the Conservatory in Tbilisi. From 1956 to 1958 he also led the State Symphony Orchestra of Georgia.

The piano piece " Chorumi ", a Georgian war dance, ensured Matschwarianis first success as a composer. At the suggestion of Evgeni Mikeladze he soon wrote his first opera. In the 1940s, he also attracted international attention by his Concerto for piano and violin as well as his first symphony. However, he was kritisitert public as part of the formalism Campaign of the Central Committee of the CPSU. In 1952 Matschwariani, who had been arrested several times already in the 1920s and 1930s was even provided for deportation, which ultimately was not performed.

At the same time its activity began in the Georgian Composers' Union; in the years 1962 to 1973, he worked as a secretary here. Particular success gave him his oratorio " The day of my homeland" as well as his ballet "Othello". In 1961 he received ( on the recommendation of Shostakovich and Chrennikows ) is a professor of composition at the Conservatory in Tbilisi, which he held until 1992. From 1962 to 1970 Machavariani was a deputy of the Supreme Soviet. In the 1970s, he wrote his ballet "The Knight in the Tiger Skin " that made him stand out again internationally.

According to his son Vakhtang, a prominent Georgian conductor who championed very much for the music of his father, Machavariani had in the Soviet authorities as a whole a rather weak position. Nevertheless, he received during his career over again several prestigious awards, so in 1951 the Stalin Prize and in 1958 the title of " People's Artist of the USSR".

Style

Matschawarianis music is initially strongly influenced by the Georgian folklore. Concise rhythm, melody and harmony in orientalising fundamental orientation of traditional European formal patterns reminiscent of Khachaturian. In particular, the dramatically sharpened first symphony can additionally also the influence of Shostakovich recognize what manifests Matschawarianis interest in contemporary music as part of the Soviet Union.

In his ballet "Othello" psychologizing tendencies are to be seen as well as increased employment with literary subjects. His style was exposed at this time a significant change. His stronger individual profile can be heard clearly for the first time in the second symphony. Compared to previous works Machavariani used here a much increased harmony; the tonality is not discarded, but often exceeded and distorted.

Influences of Georgian folklore are still to be heard, but on a more abstract level (eg through concise percussion interjections or recourse to older, archaic motifs). Machavariani has been referred to as the founder of a Georgian " philosophical symphonies ".

His music of the later years is characterized by its massiveness, created by some very large occupations and rather slow, broad tempi and its spacious grounds - one movement, extensive forms are preferred. The music focuses on a gradual development taking place, which discharges into big gains. Small motifs are repeated as ostinatos; Contrasts and dark timbres emerge stronger.

Works

  • Orchestral works Symphony No.1 in E minor (1947 )
  • Symphony No.2 (1972 )
  • Symphony No.3 (1983 )
  • Symphony No.4 "Youth Symphony" (1983 )
  • Symphony No.5 " Uschba " (1986)
  • Symphony No.6 " Amirani " (1987)
  • Symphony No.7 " Gelati " for chorus and orchestra to words of David the Builder (1989 )
  • Georgian Festival Overture (1949 )
  • Piano Concerto in G minor (1944 )
  • Violin Concerto in D minor (1949 )
  • Cello Concerto (1987 )
  • Stage and Film Music
  • "Mother and Son", opera in two acts ( 1942-44 )
  • "Hamlet", opera in two acts ( 1960-67 )
  • "Medea", opera in two acts (1991 )
  • "Othello", ballet in four acts (1957 )
  • " The Knight in the Tiger Skin ", ballet in two acts (1973 )
  • " The Taming of the Shrew ", ballet in two acts (1984 )
  • " Pirosmani ", ballet in two acts (1992 )
  • "On the death of the hero " for chorus and orchestra (1948 )
  • " The day of my homeland", oratorio (1955 )
  • Five monologues by Vazha Pshavela for baritone and orchestra (1964 )
  • Songs
  • 5 string quartets (1978, 1978, 1978, 1982, 1993)
  • Violin Sonata (1989 )
  • Pieces for Violin and Piano
  • 2 piano sonatas (1985, 1985)
  • " Chorumi " ( Georgian war dance ) for piano (1937 )
  • "Georgian frescoes " for piano (1977 )
  • " Children's Album ", 12 pieces for piano (1962 )
  • Numerous other piano pieces
September 23 Gori, Georgia December 31 Communist Party of the Soviet Union Soviet (council) The Knight in the Panther's Skin Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart Integrated Authority File
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