Alexey Logunov

April 10th, 2019 became a turning point in history of astronomic observations. In the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project’s boundaries the first direct image of a supermassive black hole at the center of Messier galaxy was presented. This image provided a test for Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity. M 87 black hole is characterized by strongly defined accretion disc which consists of large body of incandescent matter. MESSIER 87 for symphonic orchestra (2020) is based on idea of spinning that chaotically gives birth to tempests, hurricanes, and explosions. It is an approach to this gigantic object through clouds of dust, its close overflight observation and departing back to cold depths of outer space.

The piece MESSIER 87 was premiered on September 15th, 2022, by Saint-Petersburg Academic Symphony Orchestra, conductor Fedor Lednyov.

The piece “Strange dreams” was composed for the Ensemble C Barré and premiered at 8th St. Petersburg International New Music Festival “reMusik.org” on 31.05.2021.

This piece explores transition between conditions of being awake and falling asleep. I tried to recreate some thoughts and images emerging at this moment, which are extremely chaotic and elusive. Rhythmic structure is inspired by Myoclonus phenomenon – irregular twitching of muscles when person is falling asleep. This element creates ostinato background for brief phrases and passages, which improvisatory nature reflects the main idea of irrationality and unpredictability of this boundary state of our consciousness.

image credit: Georgia Turner

Alexey Logunov will participate as a student in the Eleventh International Young Composers Academy will work from August 30th to September 13rd in Tchaikovsky-city with final concerts in Tchaikovsky (September 13rd, Art Centre) and Moscow (September 15th, the Chamber Philharmonic Hall).
For participation at the Eleventh International Young Composers Academy 152 applications from 49 countries were arrived.
The professors of the Eleventh Academy are the leading composers Philpp Hurel (France), Isabel Mundry (Germany), Blaise Ubaldini (Switzerland). The guests of the Academy are composers Mehdi Hosseini (Iran), Anton Svetlichny, Olga Bochikhina (Russia) and others.

Original post from the Academy website

For a long time, I have been concerned about what humanity treats the Earth. Such things as the Great Pacific garbage patch, air and water pollution, and deforestation destroy our environment which is so precious to our lives. Considering this, it doesn’t really matter how much we contribute to climate change (as some scientists argue if we create any influence at all). What is important, is that we need to revise our attitude to ecological problems. This belief became an idea of my new composition for fixed media.

I used passionate speech by Greta Thunberg as starting point (she pronounced it at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York on September 23^rd). Greta is probably the most discussed child on our planet in 2019. Despite all controversial opinions, she became a symbol of the environmental movement.

“GRETA” also includes fragments of speeches from different years by Severn Cullis-Suzuki, Harrison Ford and Prince Charles. In this music I attempted to recreate my feelings about ecological problems. I intentionally used soundscape elements mixed with artificial sounds, which corrupt initial calm and quiet scenery turning it at some point into a lifeless desert.

Preview photo credit: Kevin Frayer, Getty Images