Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
From Amadeus to the anniversary: new releases from Melodiya that will interest true connoisseurs of classical music.
The new releases from our flagship audio label are, as always, original and sophisticated, sure to intrigue music lovers of all tastes.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Six Duets for Two Flutes
In the 19th century, it was common for wealthy families to spend evenings performing simple pieces by famous composers on home instruments (piano, violin, flute). This tradition was so popular that music publishers sometimes even assisted homegrown music lovers by "inventing" classical works themselves. Famous works were compiled, lightly edited, and arranged for a specific cast of performers, resulting in new pieces ready for publication.
Mozart's "Six Duets for Two Flutes, Op. 75," originated precisely in this way. Everything Amadeus created was traditionally in great demand, so one music publishing house, whose employees' names have unfortunately been lost to history, combined several violin sonatas (KV 377, 378, 379, 380) and piano trios, arranging them for flute duet.
For a long time, Mozart's nonexistent opus remained unnoticed, which is understandable: professionals were quite biased toward a work whose origins were disputed. No one was in any hurry to record the unknown work. This state of affairs persisted until the day Melodiya decided to release a studio recording of this curious work.
One of the performers, the author of the idea, flutist Andrei Malykh, explained the concept this way: “It happens that arrangements of certain musical works sound no worse, or even better, than the original… The amazing beauty of the melodies, the harmony of the form, the absolutely flute-like sound and the masterfully written interaction of the two instruments – all this convinces us that the composers of the duets accurately understood and felt Mozart’s music.”
Nizhny Novgorod native Andrey Malykh is known for performing rare and exclusive programs. His releases include "Flute in Russian Music," all of Bach's sonatas for flute and piano, and all of Mozart's quartets. Another participant in the project, Elena Platitsyna, like her partner, plays in the Nizhny Novgorod Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, performs extensively, works with the Gorky Quintet, and participates in the International Festival "Voice of the Flute." This recording was recorded last year at the Nizhny Novgorod studio "Tonmeister" under the sound engineering direction of Alexander Repyev.
Elmir Nizamov "Dedication. Symphonic Works"
The creative biography of Elmir Nizamov, a contemporary composer working in a wide range of genres (from classical to popular theater music), is impressive. His major symphonic works are performed in concert halls, his music for plays can be heard in theaters across the globe, and vibrant musicals based on national themes are performed in Kazan.
The composer's new album, "Dedication," features seven compositions from various years—from student samples to works that experts consider the most important in the composer's current catalog. In particular, the disc includes "Heavenly Movement," Elmir Zhavdetovich's most important symphonic work to date, which won the "International Tribune of Contemporary Music" competition of the UNESCO International Music Council and the European Broadcasting Union.
The recording of the program featured musicians from the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Tatarstan, along with maestro Jeremy Walker. Trumpet is performed by Honored Artist of the Republic of Tatarstan Roman Mudarisov, baton is held by People's Artist of the Russian Federation Alexander Sladkovsky, and sound engineering is by Honored Artist of Russia Pavel Lavrenenkov. The recording took place at the Salikh Saidashev State Grand Concert Hall (Kazan) in 2024.
Anton Batagov, "The Well-Meditated Clavier. Volume 2"
This disc is a direct successor to the album "Well-Meditated Clavier," released by Melodiya in 2023. Back then, Anton Batagov presented a cycle of nine piano pieces to listeners. For this new program, the renowned pianist has prepared seven additional compositions.
Here's how the author explains the essence of his creative vision: "In Bach's time, composers didn't invent concepts. They simply practiced their craft. Everyone seemed to be doing the same thing over and over again. Forms and names were also standardized… Within this ancient sameness, there was life in every detail. And there was no fuss. Now that modernism has successfully destroyed everything that came before, and post- and metamodernism have left no chance for perception without mockery, one can calmly turn off the navigation system and sit down at the piano."
Batagov’s choice of “vintage” instruments (the first volume of the “Piano” was recorded on a 1909 Steinway piano, and the second on an 1880 Steinway) for the project was also not accidental.
"Back then, pianos could sing and breathe. Every such instrument is a time machine. In this machine, we can travel to places we've long since disappeared. Planes don't fly there. There, you don't have to choose every image of a traffic light to prove you're not a robot. And from there, we hear the 'future' with different ears," explains Anton Alexandrovich.
In February of this year, our outstanding contemporary, Alexander Tchaikovsky, turned 80. To mark the anniversary of this People's Artist of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Council of the Union of Composers of Russia, Melodiya released a digital album featuring a recording of the oratorio "On Behalf of the Globe," a large-scale work originally released on vinyl in 1990.
The oratorio is based on the verses of Ilya Selvinsky, an avant-garde poet, founder of the Constructivist Literary Center, and one of Vladimir Mayakovsky's main rivals. The work was composed in 1983 and premiered the following October at the 6th International Festival of Contemporary Music "Moscow Autumn."
"After I wrote the oratorio 'To the Sun' to Tyutchev's words (in 1982), I became interested in the poets of the 1930s—Kirsanov, Selvinsky, Svetlov, and others," the composer recalls. "Selvinsky was completely forgotten back then, and even more so now. And he has some amazing works! The music was a success; it was performed by Vladimir Fedoseyev, a very young Valery Gergiev, and other conductors."
Alexander Vladimirovich is one of the most frequently performed Russian composers. His works have premiered at some of our finest venues, including the Mariinsky Theatre, the P. I. Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. For many years, the composer has collaborated with the Melodiya label. The label has recorded many of his works, including the operas One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (2009) and Grandfather Laughs (2016), the Second Viola Concerto (Etudes in Simple Tones) and the Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra (2017), the First Violin Concerto (2018), selected vocal cycles (2019), the dramatic symphony The Tale of Igor's Campaign (2019), and string quartets and the Piano Quintet (2022).
The oratorio "On Behalf of the Globe" was recorded in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in 1987. The concert, almost 40 years ago, featured the USSR State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company's Grand Symphony Orchestra under Vladimir Fedoseyev, the State Academic Choir of the Latvian SSR (artistic director Imants Cepitis), and soloists Anatoly Safiulin (bass) and Alexander Fiseisky (organ).
Denis Bocharov, Kultura Newspaper, February 26, 2026
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