Galina Ustvolskaya: Symphonies Nos. 1-5 (SACD)

Galina Ustvolskaya was a profoundly original composer, unsurpassed in her style and largely ignored during her lifetime. The fiercely independent Ustvolskaya created expressive, even violent music that sounds like no other composer's work and reveals no clear influences, yet is often imbued with religiosity or spirituality. It was only after her death that Ustvolskaya's original and uncompromising talent was finally recognized. Christian Karlsen and the London Philharmonic Orchestra present Ustvolskaya's five symphonies here. While the first appears superficially traditional (it is the only one for a full symphony orchestra), two boys sing - via microphones, in a chant-like manner - texts dealing with poverty, racism and injustice. Symphonies Nos. 2 to 5 break decisively with traditional form; each consists of a single, rather short movement, similar to theatrical rituals. These symphonies, conceived for combinations of instruments as varied as they are unusual, became increasingly uncompromising as their instrumentation diminished, down to just a handful of instruments in the fourth and fifth symphonies. A solo voice appears sporadically, not necessarily singing, but rather verbalizing a prayer - a prayer that asks for forgiveness, but not for a better life. The orchestra is joined by Finnish pianist Joonas Ahonen in Symphonies Nos. 2, 3 and 4. He has made a name for himself internationally and has become a specialist for the fortepiano. His discography includes György Ligeti's Piano Concerto, the complete piano sonatas of Charles Ives, Ludwig van Beethoven's "Diabelli Variations" on a fortepiano from 1838 and a series of world premiere recordings with violinist Pekka Kuusisto.