Sofia Gubaidulina
Tatar-Russian composer Sofia Asgatovna Gubaidulina was born in Chistopol on 24 October 1931. She discovered music aged five, and later studied composition and piano at the Kazan Conservatory, then composition with Nikolay Peyko at the Moscow Conservatory. She explored alternative tunings, and her transcendent, mystical and spiritual music became an escape from the realities of Soviet Russia. She was a devout Russian Orthodox Church member, and the regime, hostile to religion, called her music 'irresponsible' and 'mistaken' (although she was encouraged by Shostakovich).
In 1973 she was attacked and strangled, possibly by a KGB agent, in the elevator at the Moscow apartment building where she lived.
In 1979 she was blacklisted by the Union of Soviet Composers for writing 'noisy mud instead of musical innovation, unconnected with real life'. In contrast, she viewed her music as restoring connections and the 'legato' of life, with percussion, particularly, being at the boundary between the conscious and subconscious. She also commented: 'I run the bow across the strings and realize that this creaking sound is my own soul'.
'I run the bow across the strings and realize that this creaking sound is my own soul' - Sofia Gubaidulina (1931-2025). Screenshot from To be the Oracle - Kazán film maker and cellist Zoulfia Asadoullina's documentary film about Gubaidulina
In the 1980s she began to become well-known in the west when Gidon Kremer played Offertorium (1980), her first violin concerto.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, Gubaidulina was able to move to Germany in 1992, settling in a village near Hamburg.
Sofia Gubaidulina, one of the most significant composers of her time, died from cancer at her home in Appen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany on 13 March 2025, aged ninety-three.
A selection of articles about Sofia Gubaidulina
Classical music news - March 2025 Obituaries - Our summary of those the classical music world has lost this month
Classical music news - Australian Chamber Orchestra Celebrations - The Sydney-based ACO celebrates three important anniversaries with two tours
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Sound Below Zero
Echoes of Oblivion by Robert McCarney - Fragments of Utopia
Classical music news. June 2022 Newsletter - Watch and listen to our June 2022 newsletter - a special feature on women composers
CD Spotlight. An Intruiguing View - Guitar music by Sofia Gubaidulina, heard by Keith Bramich. '... clear, poised and committed performances.'
CD Spotlight. A Rich Culture - Russian music from SWR Vokalensemble, appreciated by Howard Smith. '... a gift for those eager to hear voices in chorus ...'
Ensemble. Uniquely Memorable - The Kronos Quartet at the BBC Proms, heard by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Precocious and Talented - Music by Anna Bon di Venezia, heard by Ron Bierman. '... nuanced and cleanly articulated ...'
CD Spotlight. Jaw-Dropping Technique - Sharon Bezaly plays Gubaidulina, Beamish and Takano, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... a beautiful tone at any volume in any octave ...'
CD Spotlight. A great starting point - Land's End Chamber Ensemble's first CD, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... first-rate performances and excellent production.'
A perceptive pianist - Bill Newman listens to Yoo Na Noh
Record box - Raw and powerful. Keith Bramich's first impressions of the music of Sofia Gubaidulina