The pieces for organ written by this great German composer have become a major part of today’s repertoire for bajan- players. These masterpieces that have survived for centuries are nowadays regarded as the work of a great artist, expressing his compassion and respect for the world and man’s part in it.
“Prelude and fugue in a-minor” and the “Toccata and fugue in d-minor” are among the highlights of Bach’s organ compositions. In our century these compositions have reached new creative heights through the introduction of the most recent contemporary instrument – the bajan.
Wl. Solotarjow’s “Monastery of Ferapont” was composed in this monastery in Nothern Russia. The artist was inspired by the famous fresco – painted by the Russian iconpainter Dionisius – for which the monastery is renown.
S. Gubaidulina is an important contemporary composer in Russia. She composed numerous works for symphony orchestras, chamber- and vocal music.In the 80ies her work achieved international recognition and fame. The works she composed for bajan include “De profundis” (1978), Partita for bajan, violoncello and strings, “Seven Words” (1982), “Et exspecto” – sonata in 5 movements (1986) and “Silenzio” for bajan,violin and violoncello.
“Et exspecto” is based on the appearance of Christ. In the main theme of the sonata one can hear the conflict between musical spheres. The clean-cut chorale is contrasted by full-sounding clusters. The theme of the chorale – at first clear, but soon secretive and mystical,then again ceremonial can be heard throughout all movements except the finale. At the culmination of the fourth movement the chorale seems to be strengthened in its tragic-majestical way, but the simple chords – at first harmonic – together with the hardly noticable soaring figurations – gradually create a dissonant structure. This mutation leads to great clusters over the entire range of the instrument. The sound produced by the air-button has an important function in this sonata, in that it imitates the sound of the howling wind. This musical effect creates a musical picture, depicting a winter snowstorm… and one associates this work with F. Chopin’s b-minor sonata.
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