Rodion Shchedrin's “Carmen Suite” is well-known in the world of theater und of the opera. Its popularity is altogether unique in the history of modern music – but only a small part of his multifaceted oeuvre notable for its unmistakably Russian character and, at the same time, its international aura. A brilliant pianist and organist, Shchedrin has appeared throughout the entire world as a successful performer of his own works. “I am very glad that WERGO releases recordings of my music from past years. The company Melodiya who had recorded them made brilliant recordings of classical and contemporary music at that time … Today, they are almost history, but it may be all the more interesting to listen to them after such a long time in comparison to those difficult and turbulent years.” (Rodion Shchedrin)The composer remembers his recording of the "Polyphonic Notebook": "Whenever the piano in the recording studio sounds good, it plays better, as though somehow unfettered. We stopped for a break only at midnight. There was strong tea in the thermos flask. We decided to go on, rather than to postpone the rest of the recording to the following day. By three in the morning Veprintsev had had enough. He could take no more and left. I continued with Yelena Buneyeva. Nothing came between us and success – the piano sounded quite magical that night ..."