| Description |
I composed this work in 1983, before the beginning of “perestroika” in the USSR, when it was difficult for an ordinary person to see even the slightest sign of the changes that soon swept through our society and, in a few years, led to the collapse of the totalitarian empire. The Iron Curtain, persecution of any,anifestation of free thought, and severe censorship were all realities we faced daily. Therefore, honest creative work, such as writing a musical piece that would reflect that dismal atmosphere of social oppression and persecution, may be perceived as an act of resistance, as opposition to the regime. Perhaps this went beyond the normal tasks of art (as I would say today), but it is impossible to forget of this “secret” function of the music written at that time. The sense of drama, sometimes tragedy and hopelessness is quite typical of many works of mine that were composed then, including the Accordion Sonata. In it, the high aspirations of a person run into the wall, and hope looks rather illusory…
The Accordion Sonata was composed at the requiest of one of the best Russian accordionists, Joseph Purits Sr. He performed it for the first time in 1984 in Moscow. Sonata consists of two movements: Andante con moto and Allegro moderato.
Oleksandr Shchetynsky |