Korndorf, Nikolai
Korndorf, Nikolai
Korndorf, Nikolai, Russian composer, conductor, and teacher; b. Moscow, Jan. 23, 1947. He studied composition (M.M., 1970; D.M.A., 1973) and conducting (M.M., 1979) at the Moscow Cons., where he served on the faculty from 1972 until emigrating to Canada in 1991.
Works
dramatic:MR (Marina and Rainer), chamber opera (1989; Munich, May 20, 1994); …si muove!, music theater (1993). ORCH.: 4 syms.: No. 1 (1975; Moscow, Dec. 16, 1977), No. 2 (1980; Moscow, Oct. 25, 1982), No. 3 for Narrator, Boy’s Chorus, Men’s Chorus, Piano, and Orch. (1989; Frankfurt am Main, Sept. 8, 1992), and No. 4, Underground Music (1996; St. Petersburg, Dec. 19, 1997); Con sordino for Harpsichord and 16 Strings (Kraków, Sept. 10, 1984); Concerto capriccioso for Cello, Strings, and Percussion (1986); Hymn I (Sempre tutti) (1987; Munich, May 27, 1988), II (1987; Moscow, March 18, 1989), and III (In Honor of Gustav Mahler) (1990; Duisburg, May 8, 1991); Prologue (1992); Epilogue (1993; Montreal, Dec. 7, 1994); Victor (The Victor) (1995); A Smile of Maud Lewis (1998). CHAMBER: Confessiones for 14 Players and Tape (Moscow, Dec. 15, 1979); Movements for Percussion Ensemble (Moscow, Nov. 30, 1981); Primitive Music for 12 Saxophones (1981; Moscow, April 25, 1984); Yarilo for Piano and Tape (Moscow, June 8, 1981); Brass Quintet (1985); Amoroso for 11 Players (1986; Witten, April 25, 1987); In Honor of Alfred Schnittke, trio for Violin, Viola, and Cello (1986); The Dance in Metal in Honor of John Cage for Percussionist (1986); Mozart- Variationen for String Sextet (1990; Berlin, May 11, 1991); Continuum for Organ and Tape (1991; Moscow, May 19, 1999); Let the Earth Bring Forth for Chamber Ensemble (Amsterdam, Sept. 29, 1992); String Quartet (1992; Moscow, May 19, 1999); Get out!! for Any 4 or More Instruments (1995; Munich, Jan. 31, 1996); “Are You Ready, Brother?” for Piano Trio (Amsterdam, July 2, 1996); Music for Owen Underhill and his Magnificent Eight for Chamber Ensemble (1997; Vancouver, May 31, 1998); Passacaglia for Cello (1997; Amsterdam, Oct. 9, 1999); Canzone triste for Harp (1998; Vancouver, Feb. 12, 1999). Piano: Lullaby for 2 Pianos (Moscow, Oct. 8, 1984); A Letter to V. Martynov and G. Pelecis (1999). VOCAL: Yes!! for 3 Singers, Chamber Ensemble, and Tape (1982; Moscow, Dec. 17, 1984); Singing for Mezzo-soprano and Tape (1982; Moscow, March 14, 1983); Tristful Songs for Chamber Chorus and Percussionist (1983); Welcome! for Women’s Chorus and Instruments Played by a Singer (1995; also for 6 Women’s Voices and Instruments Played by a Singer, 1995); Echo for Chorus and Ensemble (1999).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire