Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-96)
Mieczysław Weinberg (1919–1996) was one of the most prolific composers of the Soviet era. He enjoyed a period of popularity in Russia during the 1960s (he called them his ‘starry years’), but his music has only been widely heard in the West since a revival of interest in the second decade of the 21st century. Weinberg was born in Warsaw, to a musical Jewish family. His early life, and his musical outlook, were shaped by his experiences during the Second World War. In 1939, the year he graduated from the Warsaw Conservatory, Weinberg led Poland ahead of the German invasion—all of his immediate family perished in the Holocaust. He moved to Minsk but was soon evacuated by the Soviet authorities to Tashkent. From there, he made contact with Dmitri Shostakovich, who was impressed with Weinberg’s music, and the two composers became lifelong friends. Shostakovich facilitated Weinberg’s move to Moscow in 1943, where he resided until his death.
Serenade for Orchestra, Op. 47 No. 4
1 I. Allegretto 5:46
2 II. Allegro molto 4:45
3 III. Adagio 4:24
4 IV. Allegro giocoso 5:56
USSR State Radio Orchestra
Alexander Gauk, conductor
String Quartet No. 7 in C Major, Op. 59
5 I. Adagio 8:02
6 II. Allegretto 5:46
7 III. Adagio – Allegro moderato 11:58
String Quartet No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 66
8 String Quartet No. 8 (in one movement) 15:31
Borodin String Quartet Sinfonietta No. 2, Op. 74
9 I. Allegro 3:28
10 II. Allegretto 4:04
11 III. Adagio 4:04
12 IV. Andantino 5:09
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Rudolf Barshai, conductor