Mikhail Bronner (1952-); RUS   

Mikhail Bronner graduated from the High School of the Moscow Conservatory, where he studied composition with Tikhon Khrennikov and orchestration with Yriy Phortunatov. He continued his studies at the Moscow Conservatory, and completed his graduate work in 1981. He became a member of the Union of Composers in 1979, and since 1997 has served as Chairman of the Select Committee on membership of the Moscow Union of Composers. In 2000, he was elected Secretary of the Russian Union of Composers.

Mr. Bronner first attracted public and professional attention in the early 1980s when a number of his works were performed at various festivals and concerts. Among these works were the dramatic legend "The Dowry" (verses by Dmitri Kedrin), the choral work "The Heather Honey" (after William Blake), and a song cycle, to the poetry of Anna Akhmatova. Notable landmarks in his career include the premiers of his ballets "An Optimistic Tragedy" (1985) and "The Taming of the Shrew" (1996), both presented at the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theatre in Moscow. The works were praised in reviews for their vivid emotional content, consummate use of melody, rhythm, orchestration, and strong theatrical quality (see below). Indeed, Mr. Bronner focuses largely on music for the theatre, and likewise incorporates theatrical elements into works in other genres - such as in the choral work "The Heather Honey", in which he introduces new perspectives to create a kind of choral theatre.

A turning point in Mr. Bronner's career came with "The Jewish Requiem", a large work for orchestra, two choirs, and soloists; the work is a setting of a Yiddish poem by Chaim Byalik, but likewise includes prayers, a passage in Hebrew of (12th c. Jewish philosopher) Maimonides, fragments from The Diary of Anne Frank, poetry from the Song of Songs, as well as various Psalms. "The Jewish Requiem" was performed in several cities in Germany, including Berlin in 1994, to great success. In addition to his "Jewish Requiem", Mr. Bronner has written several other works which reflect on the tragedy of Jewish history, including "Jew: Life and Death", for cello and piano, and "Jacob's Ladder: Angel of Love, Angel of Sorrow" for string quartet - featured here at the Classical Archives. Mr. Bronner has also written many compositions inspired by images, themes, and characters of the Old Testament. Still other works have focused on the philosophical and metaphysical poetry of the writers Akhmatova, Brodsky, Mandelstam and Tsvetaeva.

In all, Mr. Bronner has produced works for orchestra, as well as operas, ballets, numerous choral works, and much chamber works - which are especially characterized by subtle differences of timbre, complex rhythmic polyphony, and metrical and rhythmic mobility. He has likewise written a number of works for children that are highly regarded by both young performers and audiences alike. In 2002, Moscow Magazine named Mr. Bronner as Composer of the Year, for his "Gates of Heaven," for violin and chamber orchestra - also featured here at the Classical Archives. His works have been performed at concerts and festivals in Russia, Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary, England, France, and Italy. Several of his works have been recorded and released on the Melodia label. We are delighted to feature Mr. Bronner's music here at the Classical Archives.

Reviews

"Bronner's music is emotional, succinct, and highly danceable...The genre and stylistic sources of the ballet are highly varied, as are the plastic patterns of the characters' dances. The logic and proportion of Bronner's musical elements, his variety of style, vivid melodies, imaginative rhythms, and expert orchestration...all show the composer's unerring sense of theatre."

Elena Kurilenko, SovietMusic Journal

"None could resist the power and fascination that came from the splendid fresco. It was wonderful, and the long ovation began not immediately after the last note, but after seconds of complete silence in the concert hall. And then, for the composer there were well deserved exclamations of Bravo!"

Berliner Zeitung (Germany)

"Although Mikhail Bronner wanted to create a musical monument to Jewish culture in Europe, his vision was broader than merely to show the chain of pain and martyrdom of a nation persecuted for centuries. "The Jewish Requiem" stands in opposition to violence and calls for appreciation and respect for all human rights."

Westfallen Blatt (Germany)