Nikolai Karetnikov
Internet Edition compiled by Onno van Rijen
Updated 13 July 2004
Born
28 June 1930 in Moscow. Died: 10 Oktober 1994 in Moscow.
Education
Karetnikov graduated at the Central Musical School and Moscow Conservatory
(composition under Shebalin from 1948 until 1953).
Style
Karetnikov is influenced by Schönberg. Karetnikov synthesises the unifying rigour of
Schönberg and a capacity for sparse, but sonorous orchestral writing in the best
Soviet traditions. His music illustrates a highly thematic approach to large-scale form,
which probably owes most to Shostakovich, the mentor of his early years.
Works
Opus 1: Pieces for piano
Opus: Symphony No. 1 (1951)
Opus: Julius Fuchik, oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra (1953)
Opus: Symphony No. 2 (1956)
Opus: Dramatic Poem for orchestra (1958)
Opus 10: Symphony No. 3 (1959)
Opus 11: Lento-Variations for piano (1961)
Opus 12:
Opus 13: Vanina Vanini, ballet in one act after Stendhal (1961)
- First performance in 1962 in Moscow.
Opus: The Geologists, ballet in one act
- First performance in 1964 in Moscow.
Opus 16: Sonata for violin and piano (1962)
- First performance in 1982.
Opus 17: Symphony No. 4 (1963)
- First performance in 1968 in Prague.
Opus 18: String Quartet with a Prayer and a Meditation (1963)
Opus 19: Concerto for thirty-two windinstruments (1965)
Opus 20: The Chronicle of Zaches, Called Zinobel, ballet in three acts after Hoffmann (1967)
Opus 21: Chamber Symphony for nineteen instruments (1968)
Opus 22: Little Nightmusic, four pieces for flute, clarinet, bass-clarinet and piano (1968)
Opus 23: Concert Piece for piano (1969)
Opus: Five Windmelodies for chorus and brassband (1969)
Opus 24: Eight Psalms to the Memory of Boris Pasternak for male chorus (1969-1989)
Opus 25: Two Pieces for piano (1974)
Opus 26: Till Eulenspiegel, opera in two acts (1965-1985)
Opus 27: From Shalom Aleikhem, concertsuite for chamberorchestra (1987)
Opus 28: The Mystery of Apostle Paul, opera-oratorio in 10 acts (1970-1986)
- First performance on 4 August 1995 in Hannover.
Opus 29: Piano Quintet (1990)
Opus: Symphony No. 5
Opus: Symphony No. 6 (1990)
Opus: Music for Brassband (1992)
Opus: Concerto for stringorchestra (1992)
Opus: Six Spiritual Songs (1993)
Other Works
Incidental music: "King Lear", "A Man for All Seasons", "Macbeth", etc.
Film music: "Run", "A Rotten Tale", "First Russians", etc.
Radio & TV music
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