Smimov, Dmitri

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Smimov, Dmitri

Smimov, Dmitri , Russian composer; b. Minsk, Nov. 2, 1948. After training in Frunze, he studied at the Moscow Cons. (1967–72) with Nikolai Sidelnikov (composition), Edison Denisov (orchestration), and Yuri Kholopov (analysis). He also received private instruction from Philip Gershkovich. From 1973 to 1980 he was an ed. with the publishing firm Soviet Composer. In 1993 he became a prof. and composer-in-residence at the Univ. of Keele in England. In 1972 he married Elena Firsova . While thoroughly grounded in various contemporary styles and techniques, Smirnov has found great inspiration in the tonal world of late Romanticism. He has also been much influenced by the poetry and painting of William Blake, and has set a number of his works to music.

Works

DRAMATIC: Tiriel, opera (1983–85; Freiburg im Breisgau, Jan. 28, 1989); The Lamentations of Thel, opera (1985–86; London, June 9, 1989); film scores. ORCH.: 2 Ricercares for Strings (1963–83; Moscow, April 11, 1983); 2 piano concertos: No. 1 (1971; Moscow, June 21, 1972) and No. 2 (Moscow, Dec. 25, 1978); Clarinet Concerto (1974; rev. 1977); Pastorale (1975; Leningrad, Feb. 14, 1977); Triple Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Double Bass, Piano, and Orch. (Moscow, Dec. 26, 1977); Fanfares, symphonic poem (1978); 2 syms.: No. 1, The Seasons (in Memory of William Blake) (1980; Riga, Oct. 8, 1981) and No. 2 for 4 Singers, Chorus, and Orch. (1982); Tiriel-Prologue (1983); Mozart Variations (1987; Moscow, Feb. 2, 1988); Concerto for Violin and 13 Strings (1990); Cello Concerto (1992). CHAMBER: Monologue for Clarinet (1968); 2 violin sonatas: No. 1 (1969; Moscow, April 20, 1970; rev. 1971) and No. 2 (Moscow, Dec. 26, 1979); 2 Fugues for Violin (1970); String Trio (1970; Moscow, Feb. 28, 1971); Cradle Song for Oboe and Piano (1972); 4 string quartets: No. 1 (1973), No. 2 (Moscow, Oct. 22, 1985), No. 3 (1993), and No. 4 (1993); Trio Sacrum for Percussion (1974); The Melancholic Minute for Clarinet and Piano (1975); Preparations for Clarinet and Piano (1975); Canon-Humoresque for 3 Saxophones (1975); Sonata for Flute and Harp (Moscow, Oct. 6, 1975); Mirages for Saxophone Quartet (1975; Moscow, May 6, 1976); Lyrical Composition for Flute, Oboe, Violin, Cello, and Harpsichord (1975; Moscow, May 11, 1977); Solo for Harp (Limburg, Aug. 1976); Bassoon Sonata (1977; Moscow, Jan. 30, 1978); 3 Dances for Xylophone (1977); 2 piano trios: No. 1 (1977; Moscow, Oct. 11, 1980) and No. 2 (1992); Cello Sonata (1978; Moscow, Feb. 24, 1979); 2 Pieces for Harp (1978); 9 Children’s Pieces for Horn and Piano (1979); Children’s Concerto for Cello and Piano (1980); Dirge Canons in memoriam Igor Stravinsky for 13 Players (Moscow, Dec. 14, 1981); Serenade for Oboe, Saxophone, and Cello (Moscow, May 25, 1981); 3 Equale for 4 Instruments (1981); Ballade for Alto Saxophone and Piano (Moscow, April 14, 1982); Forest Pictures for Harp (1982); The Farewell Song for Viola and Harp (Moscow, Oct. 4, 1982); Fantasia for Saxophone Quartet (1982; Moscow, Dec. 12, 1983); Tiriel for Baritone Saxophone and Piano (1983; Moscow, April 25, 1984); Tiriel for Cello and Piano (1984; Kishinev, March 5, 1987); Music Greeting to H. S. for Trumpet (Hamburg, Oct. 16, 1985); Partita for Violin (1985; N.Y., Dec. 7, 1987); Epitaph to Emil Gilels for Piano and Organ (1985); 7 Melancholic Waltzes for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1985; Kiev, Feb. 22, 1986); Thel-Prologue for Chamber Ensemble (1985); 2 Moods for Guitar (1987); The Moolight Story for Piccolo, Bass Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass (1988; London, June 8, 1989); The Evening Song for Alto or Tenor Saxophone and Piano (1990); Trinity Music for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano (1990); Jacob’s Ladder for Chamber Ensemble (1990; London, April 17, 1991); Job’s Studies for Clarinet (1992); The River of Life for Chamber Ensemble (1992); Prayer for Trumpet and Organ (1992); Threnody for Trumpet and Organ (1992); Orcades for Flute (1992); Piano Quintet (1992).

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Piano : 12 Melancholic Waltzes (1965–85); 2 Pieces (1966); 3 sonatas (1967, 1980, 1992); 5 Little Pieces (1968); Magic Casket (1969–85); 2 Magic Quadrates (1971); Toccata (1972); 9 Pieces (1979); Suite in Baroque Style (1980; also for Harpsichord); Epitaph (1985; also for Organ); 2 Intermezzi (1987); The 7 Angels of William Blake (1988); The Angels of Albion (1991); Magic Music Box, 50 children’s pieces (1993). Organ: Diptych (1992). VOCAL: The Handful of Sand for Voice and 12 Players (1967; rev. 1983; also for Voice and Piano); 2 Choruses (1968); 12 Chorales for Chorus (1968–72); The Ominous Stink for Bass, Chorus, and Orch. (1969–70); 6 Poems by Alexander Blok for Voice and Orch. (1972); Eternal Refuge for Voice, Organ, Strings, and Percussion (1972; rev. 1981); 6 Haiku of Kabajasi Issa for Voice, Flute, and Piano (1973); Cantata in memoriam Pablo Neruda for Soprano, Tenor, Chorus, Strings, and Percussion (1974); The Sorrow of Past Days for Voice, Flute, Violin, Cello, and Percussion (1976); The Seasons for Voice, Flute, Viola, and Harp (1979); The Night Rhymes for Voice and Orch. (1982); The Visions of Coleridge for Voice, Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Percussion, and String Quintet (1987); Songs of Love and Madness for Voice, Clarinet, Celesta, Harp, and String Trio (1988); 8-line Poems for Voice, Flute, Horn, Harp, and String Trio (1989); A Song of Liberty for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass, Chorus, and Orch. (1991); Short Poems for Soprano and Ensemble (1991); 3 Blake Songs for Soprano and Ensemble (1991); Ariel Songs for Countertenor, 2 Recorders, Cello, and Harpsichord (1993); many solo songs for Voice and Piano.