Born: 1931, Chistopol, Tatar Republic, U.S.S.R.
Period: Contemporary

“The ideal attitude for a composer is to use both tradition and new compositional means without preferring one over the other.”

One of the foremost Russian composers working today, Gubaidulina has become known for intense music of unusual instrumental combinations and profound spiritual connotations. Her father was a Tatar from a Muslim background and her mother was Slavic; Gubaidulina believes her musical language owes much to this background, bridging Europe and Asia. She is interested in new sounds and textures from traditional Western classical instruments as well as folk instruments, and musical puzzles, symbolism, and architectural forms. Much of her music specifically addresses religious and spiritual themes.

Selected works:

The Seven Last Words (1982)

Friedrich Lips, bayan; Vladimir Tonkha, cello; Collegium Musicum EnsembleMCA Classics AED-68005

Music for Flute, Strings, and Percussion (1994)

Emmanuel Pahud, flute; Mstislav Rostropovich conducting the London Symphony Orchestra

EMI Classics 7243 5 57153 2 6

Passion According to St. John (2000)

Valery Gergiev conducting the Kirov Orchestra, Chorus, and soloists

Hänssler-Classics 98405

Offertorium (1980)

Gidon Kremer, violin; Charles Dutoit conducting the Boston Symphony

Uni/Deutsche Grammophon - #27336