Valery Aleksandrovich Gavrilin (1939–1999) is the distinguished Russian composer, who lived in the last third of the 20th century. His talent is widely considered to be brilliant and original, his style is recognizable at once, he even has his imitators. Gavrilin’s music wins the hearts of listeners by its natural melodic sphere, modern and still national colouring, sincerity and deep heartfelt compassion to the people’s troubles and aspirations. This music is joyous and serious at the same time, it’s smiling and sad, it’s intimate and noble.
V. A. Gavrilin is the author of 4 ballets, 38 theatrical plays, 11 movies, 4 oratorias, symphonic suites. He wrote 60 pieces for piano for two and four hands, more than 50 songs and romances, several vocal cycles, compositions for choir a cappella and also many of chamber compositions. Aside from musical works Gavrilin is the author of most interesting articles on the musical-journalistic topics, essays, letter, diaries, sketches and drafts of unfinished works.
The “Compozitor • St Petersburg” Publishing House plans to publish V. A. Gavrilin’s Collected Works in 20 volumes in near future. The contents is the following:
Volume 1 — “Chimes”, choral symphonyic performance for soloists, mixed choir, oboe, percussion and reciter to the verses by V. Gavrilin, folk verses and verses by A. Shulgina (score).
Volume 2 — Choral Music (music for choir a cappella and accompanied by symphony orchestra): fugue “We Talked of Art” to the verses by V. Gavrilin for mixed choir a cappella; “Don Captain”, funny rondo to the verses by R. Barannikova, for mixed choir a cappella; “Ditties” to traditional text for mixed choir a cappella, “Incantation” to the verses by A. Shulgina (score) for female choir and variety-symphony orchestra; cantata “Toast” to the verses by V. Maksimov (score) for mixed choir and symphony orchestra; the song “Sunday” to the verses by V. Gavrilin for children's or female choir and piano.
Volume 3 — “Skomorokhs” (“Buffoons”), oratorio-action for men’s choir, soloists, ballet and symphony orchestra to the poems by V. Korostylyov and folk words (score).
Volume 4 — “War Letters”, vocal-symphony poem for soloists, the children’s and mixed choirs and symphony orchestra to the poems by A. Shulgina (score); “Land” (“The Earth“), vocal-symphony cycle for free cast choir, soloists and symphony orchestra to the poems by A. Shulgina (score).
Volume 5 — “Anyuta”, ballet in two acts, libretto by A. Belinsky and V. Vasilyev (score).
Volume 6 — “House at the Road”, libretto by A. Belinsky (score).
Volume 7 — “Balzaminov’s Marriage”, ballet, libretto by A. Belinsky (score).
Volume 8 — suite (in 7 movements) from the ballet “Anyuta” (score); suite (in 5 movements) from the ballet “House at the Road” (score).
Volume 9 — suite (in 17 movements) from the ballet “Balzaminov’s Marriage” (score).
Volume 10 — symphony suite (in 6 movements) “Wedding” (score); symphony suite (in 5 movements) “Theatre Divertimento” (score); “Overture” for symphony orchestra (score).
Volume 11 — “The Russian Notebook”, vocal cycle for mezzo-soprano and piano (folk words); “Seasons”, songs for middle-voice and piano to the poems by A. Tvardovsky and S. Yesenin.
Volume 12 — “The First German Notebook”, vocal cycle for baritone and piano to the poems by H. Heine; “The Second German Notebook”, vocal cycle for voice and piano to the poems by H. Heine.
Volume 13 — “Nice Evening”, vocal cycle for soprano, mezzo-soprano and piano to the poems by A. Shulgina, H. Heine, to the folk words and V. Gavrilin’s verses; romances to the words by various poets.
Volume 14 — string quartettes ¹ 1, 2, 3 (scores).
Volume 15 — piano pieces.
Volume 16 — piano ensembles for four hands.
Volume 17 — music to performances (score).
Volume 18 — music to films (score).
Volume 19 — songs for voice and piano, and songs a cappella.
Volume 20 — literary heritage.