Russian composer Valery Gavrilin (b. 1939, Volodga; d. 1999, St. Petersburg) completed his thirteen movement composition Chimes in 1982 and subtitled it "Upon Reading V. Shukshyn Miracle Play - Choral Symphony." Scored for mixed chorus, narrator, percussion and solo oboe, this large choral fresco is deeply rooted in Russian folklore. Ti-Ri-Ri, the wordless movement #5, is a colorful and theatrical scene. One can almost see young men and women gathering (for a dance, perhaps), and as the voices enter one by one, the listener hears a different character from each vocal part. Dur.: 4'. |
