Rodion Shchedrin
Russian composer, pianist and organist Rodion Shchedrin was born in Moscow on 16 December 1932 as the son of a composer and music theory teacher. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Yuri Shaporin for composition and Yakov Flier for piano.
His tonal early music includes flashes of folk music and colourful orchestrations. Later he used random and serial techniques. His music is popular in the West due to recordings made by Mstislav Rostropovich.
He was married from 1958 until 2015 to the ballerina Maya Plisetskaya, and he wrote his 1967 Carmen-Suite for her to dance to.
Rodion Shchedrin is a citizen of Russia, Lithuania and Spain.
A selection of articles about Rodion Shchedrin
CD Spotlight. Fierce Criticism - Gerald Fenech listens to orchestral music by Rodion Shchedrin and Ottorino Respighi. '... a fitting tribute to Mariss Jansons ...'
Ensemble. Almost Cinematic - Shchedrin's 'Anna Karenina' and other premières at The Stars of the White Nights Festival, by Giuseppe Pennisi
CD Spotlight. A Spectral Atmosphere - Murray McLachlan plays music by Shostakovich and friends, recommended by Howard Smith. '... an outright triumph for the label and for McLachlan.'
DVD Spotlight. Sensual Drama - West Australian Ballet in Shchedrin's 'Carmen', reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... colourful and energetic ...'