Ustvolskayas music sounds like nothing else. She is a very original composer and it is hard to describe her music in musical terms. The Dutch musicologist Elmer Schönberger calls her The woman with the hammer while the Russian composer Victor Suslin uses the term black hole, a galactic constellation of such an enormous density, absorbing all energy and light in it.
Many of her composition are extremely violent with dynamics up to fffff. But on the other hand she always gives instructions to perform her music espressivo, even with dynamics like this and even if the sound comes from banging a hammer on a wooden box (Composition No.2). The music is rhythmic and many times even ritualistic. One could even find traces of minimal music in her compositions. Some of composition have religious subtitles, but she never was a very religious woman in the usual sense of the word. For her, religion is living together with nature, respecting living creatures and even talking to birds and ants. Her decision to live in seclusion is reflected in her music, which also goes its own way.

capnreverb wrote:I have never heard of her. The description of her work sparks my interest. I wll have to track some down. Thanks for the tip.

capnreverb wrote:OK, i now have my own show on WMSE, and i dont know for how long. The show will be from 3-6 on sunday afternoons and will be all modern classical music. The cool thing for you all is that you can listen live or download it at http://www.wmse.org/main.php3 . Also, it is available as a podcast through WMSE. I will be on starting this sunday.

capnreverb wrote:

capnreverb wrote:OK, i now have my own show on WMSE, and i dont know for how long. The show will be from 3-6 on sunday afternoons and will be all modern classical music. The cool thing for you all is that you can listen live or download it at http://www.wmse.org/main.php3 . Also, it is available as a podcast through WMSE. I will be on starting this sunday.

It seems official now, for it's made the stations calander. You can listen live from 3-6 sunday afternoon on your computer live or download it later.



thanks!

I know i get a crap vote for quoting myself.

capnreverb wrote:Feldmans later sq's are very interesting, but take a bit of patience, and can be quite long. I own the early ones and they are good, but not life changing. If you like his and cages take on minimilism, go for it. Its not for everyone.