Viola Concerto No.1 (Ichmouratov)

The Concerto comprises 3 movements. A typical performance lasts somewhat around 37 minutes.

{{Ordered list

| type = upper-roman|Andante – Allegro moderato – Meno mosso|Recitativo – Largo – Più mosso, alla marcia – Tempo I| Allegro – Presto

}}

Viola Concerto No. 1 is Ichmouratov's first composition for the orchestra, as stated by Arthur Kaptainis, who also mentions that Elvira Misbakhova wanted a concerto that combined lyrical impulses and virtuoso challenges.{{cite web |last1=Kaptainis |first1=Arthur |title=Booklet for Ichmouratov: Piano Concerto, Viola Concerto No. 1 |url=https://www.highresaudio.com/en/album/view/bom8fi/jean-philippe-sylvestre-elvira-misbakhova-london-symphony-orchestra-airat-ichmouratov-ichmouratov-piano-concerto-viola-concerto-no-1 |website=highresaudio.com |access-date=22 September 2023}} The composer, who was described as a "leader in contemporary neo-romantic music worldwide",{{cite news |last1=Cardin |first1=Frédéric |title=Jean-Philippe Sylvestre; Elvira Misbakhova: London Symphony Orchestra – Airat Ichmouratov: Piano Concerto; Viola Concerto N1 |url=https://panm360.com/en/records/jean-philippe-sylvestre-elvira-misbakhova-london-symphony-orchestra-airat-ichmouratov-piano-concerto-viola-concerto-no-1-chandos/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |publisher=panm360.com |date=16 June 2023}} "Russian musical voice of Quebec",{{cite news |last1=Huss |first1=Christophe |title=Airat Ichmouratov, la voix musicale russe du Québec |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/musique/575352/musique-classique-airat-ichmouratov-la-voix-musicale-russe-du-quebec? |access-date=22 September 2023 |publisher=ledevoir.com |date=20 March 2020}} and as a true "sponge of 20th-century music",{{cite news |last1=Huss |first1=Christophe |title="Concertos pour piano et pour alto n° 1", Airat Ichmouratov |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/musique/793041/classique-concertos-pour-piano-et-pour-alto-n-1-airat-ichmouratov? |access-date=22 September 2023 |publisher=www.ledevoir.com |date=6 June 2023}} acknowledges that his music is influenced by Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov and other great Russian composers. The result is typical of Ichmouratov's work – neo-romantic concerto for viola with melodic and rich in harmonies content inspired by Russian folk elements.

Image:Airat Ichmouratov and Elvira Misbakhova during the recording session with London Symphony orchestra on 5th May, 2022.jpg

The Viola Concerto No. 1 is scored for the following orchestra (percussion, performed by 3 players):{{cite web |title=Concerto, op. 7 for viola and orchestra |url=https://collections.cmccanada.org/final/Portal/Composer-Showcase.aspx?lang=en-CA/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=collections.cmccanada.org |publisher=Canadian Music Centre}}

• 2 flutes
• 2 oboes
• 2 clarinets in B{{Music|b}}
• 2 bassoons
• 4 horns in F
• 2 trumpets in B{{Music|b}}
• 3 trombones: tenor, bass
• Tuba
• Timpani
• Triangle
• Cymbals
• Snare drum
• Bass drum
• Suspended cymbal
• Tam tam
• Tambourine
• Glockenspiel
• Xylophone
• Wood blocks
• Harp
• Strings

• Chandos Records: CHAN 5281 – Ichmouratov: Viola Concerto No.1/Piano Concerto; London Symphony Orchestra, Elvira Misbakhova viola, Airat Ichmouratov conductor{{cite web |title=Ichmouratov: Viola Concerto No.1/Piano Concerto |url=https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%205281 |website=chandos.net |access-date=22 September 2023}}

The recording of the Viola Concerto No. 1 gained average-to-positive reviews. Michael Church of BBC Music Magazine wrote: "its slow movement is gorgeous".{{cite news |last1=Church |first1=Michael |date=8 August 2023 |title=Airat Ichmouratov: Piano Concerto; Viola Concerto No. 1 |publisher=classical-music.com |url=https://www.classical-music.com/reviews/concerto/airat-ichmouratov-piano-concero-viola-concerto-no-1/ |access-date=22 September 2023}} Gregor Tassie of MusicWeb International wrote: "entry by the viola in a bewitchingly beautiful theme".{{cite news |last1=Tassie |first1=Gregor |date=24 July 2023 |title=Ichmouratov: Piano & Viola Concertos (Chandos) |publisher=MusicWeb International |url=https://www.musicwebinternational.com/2023/07/ichmouratov-piano-viola-concertos-chandos/ |access-date=22 September 2023}} Frédéric Cardin of Panm360 wrote: "...rich in cushioned harmonies and orchestral moiré".

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://airatichmouratov.com/|Airat Ichmouratov – composer, official website}}
• {{official website|https://elviramisbakhova.com/|Elvira Misbakhova – violist, official website}}
• [https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%205281 Complete recording of the Viola Concerto No. 1, Op.7 ] Elvira Misbakhova, viola; London Symphony Orchestra; Airat Ichmouratov conductor – Release Date: 16 June 2023

{{Airat Ichmouratov}}

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Category:Compositions by Airat Ichmouratov

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Ichmouratov

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