Grabovsky, Leonid

Grabovsky, Leonid, Ukrainian composer; b. Kiev, Jan. 28, 1935. He studied at the Univ. of Kiev (1951-56) and took courses in composition with Revutsky and Liatoshinsky at the Kiev Cons. (1954-62; diploma, 1962). After teaching at the latter (1961-63; 1966-68), he was active as a composer, editor, and translator. He was one of the earliest composers in the Soviet Union to espouse minimalism. His works also reveal Asian influences.

Works

DRAMATIC Opera : The Bear (1963); The Marriage Proposal (1964). ORCH.: Intermezzo (1958); Symphonic Frescoes on a Theme of Boris Prorokov (1961); Little Chamber Music No. 1 for 16 String Players (1966) and No. 2 for Oboe, Harp, and 12 String Players (1971); Homoomorphie IV (1970); Meditation and Pathetic Recitative for Strings (1972); On St. John’s Eve, symphonic legend (1976). CHAMBER: Sonata for Solo Violin (1959); Trio for Violin, Double Bass, and Piano (1964; rev. 1975); Microstructures for Oboe (1964; rev. 1975); Constants for Violin, 4 Pianos, and 6 Percussion Groups (1964); Ornament for Oboe, Harp or Guitar, and Viola (1969); Concorsuono for Horn (1977); Concerto misterioso for Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Antique Cymbals, Harpsichord, Harp, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1977). Piano : 4 2-part inventions (1962); 5 Character Studies (1962); Homoomorphie I-II (1968) and /// for 2 Pianos (1969); Fiir Elise (1988). VOCAL: 4 Ukrainian Songs for Chorus and Orch. (1959); Pastelle for Mezzo-soprano, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1964; rev. 1975); An Epitaph for Rainer Maria Rilke for Soprano, Harp, Celesta, Guitar, and Bells (1965; rev. 1975); La Mer for Speaker, Chorus, Organ, and Orch. (1966-70); Marginalia on Heisenbuttel for Speaker, 2 Trumpets, Trombone, and Percussion (1967; rev. 1975); Kogda for Soprano, Violin, Clarinet, Piano, and Strings ad libitum (1987).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire