*NOTE:* The original cut of this video is three minutes longer, but was given a copyright claim. That version of the video, which features a score excerpt of Khachaturian’s _Trio,_ is available over on Patreon [ www.patreon.com/classicalnerd ]. Speaking of Patreon, I’d like to thank and welcome new patron *Forrest Barnum.*
Wonderful summary of Khachaturian. He was a gruff personality but deeply passionate. Having met him and doing a Master class with him for a week was an apex for a young composer.
Nobody questions Copland for writing nationalist music that catered to the american government, which was doing quite awful things during the cold war, why should katchaturian be questioned for writing for the soviet state?
I agree! It takes heroic courage and determination to go through that oppressive period, 100,000 did not survive that period in soviet Union. Thank you
I don't think criticism of Khachaturian for what his government did is entirely fair; most of the criticisms that have been levied against him were as a result of his status as a relatively conservative composer vis-à-vis where the West had gone in art music. Nevertheless, it behooves me to bring up criticisms and what detractors say to paint a more comprehensive picture of a given composer. (Plus, as I point out, his friendship with Shostakovich alone should quell such criticisms.)
Sad, the unthinking people who can only see State intervention in the fSoviet Union always don’t recognize it when it happens repeatedly in the US as well.
You could do a video on Takemitsu' compositions.I'm aware that you already did a video on his life,but I am refering on his style of composition.It would be awesome.
Nice video, it made me feel genuine interest in khachaturian's music. Also would you do a video on Kalinnikov? His works are few, but most of them are great. His 1st symphony is really touching
Buben (бубень) is the Russian word for "tambourine" not just "another name" for the instrument. BTW, I met the composer when he was in Washington in 1968 and have his autograph
Should really mention that his music became very popular in the west due to being used extensively in the BBC series ‘The Onedin Line’ which was screened all across Europe for many years.
Fascinating. Knew nothing about the man apart from the much played Spartacus. I think Shostakovich violin concerto no 1 conveys something of the sheer misery of that vile regime.
Dear Thomas, the amount of research and preparation you put in your videos is incredible. I first started with Bruckner: The Macabre Symphonist an then moved to my beloved fellow Armenian composer Khachaturian. Thank you for showing the greatness and beauty of Khachaturian's music. He was a giant representing that part of the world.
One of the more interesting aspects of khachaturian’s life...well I mean death...is the story about where he was to be buried. The story goes that khachaturian was going to be buried upon his death in Moscow but Armenia made such a stink about it that the Soviet leadership in Moscow conceded and allowed him to be buried in Armenia. He is still buried to this day in Armenia. Armenians are extremely proud of this composer.
"A few international hits, like the Piano Concerto, Sabre Dance, and *to a lesser extent, the Violin Concerto* " Ouch. I'd go as far as to say that Khachaturian's violin concerto is one of the most memorable of the 20th century. Experimental it isn't, but tuneful it most certainly is - and above that, it sounds playful, especially the last movement, which always makes me think of otters for some reason.
I mean, yeah, it's a fantastic piece-my point was that it hasn't stuck around in the repertoire the way that the others I mentioned have (but is still remembered more than, for instance, the late concerto-rhapsodies).
I'm sorry to the soviets, but the firstmost soviet composer whose music sounds like propaganda is Shostakovich. He's one of my favorites, but you can't deny the way his sound can be misinterpreted.
@ClassicalNerd Just wanted to say LOVE your stuff. I've learned so much about my favorite composers that I never knew. Suggestion: have you considered adding in a little excerpt here and there of some of the composer's work? So the viewer has a baseline for their composiitons.
The original cut for this episode did have more excerpts. The issue is really RU-vid's draconian copyright system: it doesn't understand fair use, relies heavily on algorithms that result in false strikes, and likes to severely limit international visibility. Some composers are more affected than others.
An absolutely fascinating lecture. It was a complex scenario as you so magnificently explain. I love Khachaturian's output and your upload is so very informative, I'm hit for 6 (cricket term, you wouldn't understand Ha Ha) yet again. A fantastic drawing together of what was going on historically.
Thank you very much for such nice short biography of Aram Khachaturian. His world famous Violin concerto and Cello Concerto needed some comments. I follow your biographies on TV youtube and are very educational. Thank yoagain.
Brother, I have been so entranced by your videos i felt compelled to request, to plead that you do a profile of Arvo Pärt! You’re incredible! Thank you for this beautiful space. 🙏🏽💜
Thank you for the kind words! Unfortunately, while Pärt is commonly requested, I feel uncomfortable about doing career retrospectives of composers whose careers are still ongoing. Sorry!
Votes for Gurdjieff and Holst have been added [ lentovivace.com/classicalnerd.html ]. I have an ancient video on Scriabin which I plan on remaking at some point this year if my schedule allows.
i wrote a huge paper on the zhdanov decree in college! i took a shot at investigating whether the named composers had actually done anything particularly radical in their music around the time of the decree, or whether there were any other reasons why they may have been targeted (shocker: basically every composer was targeted for political reasons)
Greetings, I have been watching some of your videos here on RU-vid. I like them a lot. Have you or are you planning to do a video on RODION SHCHEDRIN? Stay Well !!!!!!!!!!!
Do you have Alan Hovhaness on your list? As a fan of classical music without much of any musical background, I love these videos and find them very accessible and informative!
@@ClassicalNerd What a list! We obviously have many good videos in store for us. I noticed, though, that you have Ned Rorem on there, albeit low down. Do you know he is still alive?
Certainly, but I have no definite time frame other than ”some time this year.” I've been pressed into service in an actual teaching position this academic year, so I don't really know what my free time will look like once fall arrives.
@@uzefulvideos3440 Thank you! It's one of my oldest pieces but it has served me well as the theme. There's a recording on my personal channel from way back :)
Patience-I have a lot of projects right now, including my first actual real-life teaching position. (Well, it'll mostly be online, but it's an actual aural skills class with actual undergrads.) As a result, I don't know how often I can make videos for this upcoming academic year.
@@davidschreiter3513 The Berkowitz was one of the three books used in my undergraduate aural skills curriculum and it was by far everyone's least favorite.