{"product_id":"questions-of-eternity","title":"Questions of Eternity","description":"At first glance, the choice of composers for this recording seems like an odd match: one cultivated a harsh,  expressive musical language, while the other was a proponent of introspective soundscapes. One piece ends in  an explosion, while the other offers us meditative contemplation.  We also have an apparent clash of nationalities: Prokofiev was Russian, (b. Sontsivka, Ukraine) Silvestrov is  Ukrainian, and conductor Dmitry Matvienko is Belarusian. But through art and music, we can always meet in  dialogue and mutual understanding.  What may first seem like madness has a clear logic. In Dmitry Matvienko's view, there are strong links between  the two composers. Quoting Valentin Silvestrov's belief that \"only melody makes music eternal,\" Matvienko  explains why he chose Quiet Music for this recording. Despite very different musical languages, both composers  were exceptional melodists who regarded melody as the foundation of all music, regardless of genre or 20thcentury  avant-garde trends.  Matvienko also sees both works as shaped by their historical realities. Prokofiev's symphony reflects the  devastation of the post-war era and foreshadows future catastrophe, while Silvestrov's Quiet Music, written in  2002, predates but resonates deeply with later conflicts. Prokofiev could not have imagined the tragedy that  would unfold decades after his death, yet history reveals the cyclical nature of evil. His work on Eisenstein's  Ivan the Terrible exposed a ruler's destructive paranoia - an allusion Stalin recognized. Today, Matvienko argues,  history repeats itself in new forms. Against this, Silvestrov's Quiet Music offers consolation: a place of refuge  open to anyone, beyond nationality or religion, where sorrow can briefly be set aside.  It was very important to Dmitry Matvienko to include this piece in this recording: \"Silvestrov said in one of his  interviews\" - \"I am so tired of the noise of this world \",- \"I understand that and feel it very deeply. More and  more often I walk at night and listen to his music; not in headphones, but inside. And it gives me peace. I want  this piece to be therapy and solace for our listeners as well.\"","brand":"OUR Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":46025296412906,"sku":"0636943693629","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/3423\/3066\/files\/4503309-3553282_4f2e1b70-4177-4732-9a54-a8de9c8d6ed1.jpg?v=1778221361","url":"https:\/\/arkivmusic.com\/products\/questions-of-eternity","provider":"ArkivMusic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}