Valentin Silvestrov

Diptychon

Diptychon is a two-part composition which may be compared to altarpiece. In addition to an image of Christ, this usually depicts the life of a saint. The image of Christ corresponds to the Lord's Prayer, Our Father (first movement), and the life of a saint to the famous poem by Taras Shevchenko, Zapovit (which means dedication in Ukrainian) (second movement). Strictly speaking the first text is also a dedication. The musical development within the movements seems to move in various directions, though there is a kind of hidden plan. The act of looking up to heaven corresponds to the tragic descent to earth and to mankind, which is beseeched to be merciful and to hold in remembrance. . . This reading seems to me more precise and realistic. For this reason I preferred to start with the prayer and not to end with it, though I realize that this may not be the traditional sequence. (V. Silvestrov)