Falik, Yuri

Falik, Yuri, greatly talented Russian cellist and composer; b. Odessa, July 30, 1936. He composed music from adolescence. In 1955 he enrolled in the composition class of Boris Arapov at the Leningrad Cons., graduating in 1964. He also studied cello there with A. Strimer and in 1962 won 1st prize in the Helsinki Competition. He subsequently joined the staff of the Leningrad Cons., teaching both cello and composition. In his music, Falik reveals a quasi-Romantic quality, making use of tantalizingly ambiguous melodic passages approaching the last ramparts of euphonious dissonance. His angular rhythms, with their frequently startling pauses, suggest a theatrical concept.

Works

DRAMATIC Till Eulenspiegel, “mystery ballet” (1967); Oresteia, choreographic tragedy (1968); Les Fourberies de Scapin, opera bouffe (Tartu, Dec. 22, 1984). ORCH.: Concertino for Oboe and Chamber Orch. (1961); Sym. for Strings and Percussion (1963); 2 concertos for Orch. (1967; Symphonic Etudes, 1977); Music for Strings (1968); 2 syms.: No. 1, Easy Symphony (1971) and No. 2, Kaddish (1993); Violin Concerto (1971); Elegiac Music in Memoriam Igor Stravinsky for Chamber Orch. (1975). CHAMBER : 7 string quartets (1955–93); Trio for Oboe, Cello, and Piano (1959); Wind Quintet (1964); The Tumblers for 4 Woodwinds, 2 Brasses, and 19 Percussion Instruments (1966); Inventions for Vibraphone, Marimba, and 5 Tam-tams (1972); English Divertimento for Flute, Clarinet, and Bassoon (1978). VOCAL: Solemn Song, cantata (1968); Winter Songs for Chorus (1975); 3 concertos for Chorus (1979, 1987, 1988); Russian Orthodox Liturgical Songs for Soloists and Chorus (1990–92); Mass for Soloists, Chorus, and Chamber Orch. (1996); songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire