05/10/2019 - 21:00
Mikheil Shugliashvili (1941–1996) is considered the “Georgian Xenakis.” He was thrown out of the conservatory in Tbilisi twice. Shugliashvili’s determined radical constructivist approach could not be reconciled with the reigning Soviet artistic doctrine. Many of his works are only now being performed for the first time (on this same evening the Vienna RSO is presenting the premiere of his major orchestral work Polychronia). An important step in the rediscovery of the composer was the much-lauded recording of his symphony Grand Chromatic Fantasy (Symphony) for Three Pianos released by Wandelweiser Records. The musicians who created this recording are now bringing this overwhelming sound to Graz as guest performers. Lasting almost an hour, the work entails racing progressions, abrupt chord transitions, and repetitive concentration of sounds that produce a musically sacred space, a “concert-church” as described by Thomas Meyer.
Composition: Mikheil Shugliashvili | Piano: Tamara Chitadze, Tamriko Kordzaia, and Stefan Wirth