Shchedrin played an important role in the complex politics of the USSR's musical establishment. In 1973 he succeeded Dmitri Shostakovich as Chairman of the Composers' Union of the Russian Federation.
One of his aims has been to avoid composing
music that would cause him to lose touch with a wide range of listeners.
His style includes a great diversity of compositional devices, ranging from serialism to Russian folk and religious music.
The Enchanted Wanderer was not altogether easy to follow. The printed programme contained texts in both Russian and English. Unfortunately, because house lights were slightly lowered at the start of the performance, the words were not entirely easy to read.
Another complication resulted from all three soloists having to share the narration – and, furthermore, one of them sang four different roles.
Very briefly, Ivan, a servant of the Prince, falls in love with a gypsy called Grusha. The Prince buys her from her people but soon tires of her and she is deported. She persuades Ivan to kill her, and he becomes a monk to atone for doing so.
The music, for the most part is slow and tense. There are some promisingly contrasted episodes and a substantial climax to end Part I. It was a very good presentation of a disappointing piece. Valery Gergiev presided with infallible attention to detail. His personal contribution to this year's Festival has been huge.
The full article contains 271 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
