Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Prokofiev: Symphony No.6 & Silvestrov: Silent Music (2026)

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 20th-century avant-garde trends.

Tracklist
1. Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Prokofiev: 6th Symphony: Allegro moderato
2. Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Prokofiev: 6th Symphony: Largo
3. Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Prokofiev: 6th Symphony: Vivace
4. Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Silvestrov: Silent Music: Waltz of the Moment
5. Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Silvestrov: Silent Music: Evening Serenade
6. Aarhus Symphony Orchestra & Dmitry Matvienko - Silvestrov: Silent Music: Moments of the Serenade

Blog with my downloads here!