Memories of a great Russian composer

Friends of Rodion Shchedrin, who died last night, are sharing reminiscences online:

Pianist Denis Matsuev:
Ten years have passed since the muse Rodion Konstantinovich, the great Maya Mikhailovna Plisetskaya passed away. And today her husband followed her. This legendary couple is no more.
I have only met a few couples in my life who had such strong love, respect and understanding. Shhedrin and Plisetskaya were created for each other and both were world-great geniuses. Such examples can be read by the fingers of one hand. Such were Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya and such were Schedrin and Plisetskaya.
It seemed that we could communicate with him forever: I was constantly in touch with him. And over time I will tell you how it all was, beginning with 2002, his anniversary year. We were introduced by my professor Sergey Leonidovich Dorensky. Rodion Konstantinovich offered me to play his Fifth concerto. And after the concert, I prepared, as a surprise for him, my improvisation on the theme “We are not nomads, nor carpenters” from the movie “Height”, to which he was reportedly skeptical and felt that this piece was not related to his real work. Nevertheless, I took a risk and performed this improvisation. And he liked her very much. So much so that a few months later he asked me to play an encore after the concert with Maris Jansons in Munich, where I played his Fifth concerto again.

Probably my most precious memories are when he sat in the hall during the performance of his piece. And then he shared his impressions, ideas and delicate advice. Incredible experience for any performer.
Furthermore, in the Second Piano Concerto with the orchestra dedicated to Maya Mikhailovna, there are moments of jazz improvisation and swing. And he allowed me to improvise even inside this concert. We recorded these improvisations many times, including with Valery Abisalovich [Gergiev], who was probably Rodion Konstantinovich’s closest friend all these years and the same conductor who performed, I think, almost all of Shchedrin’s music. On the one hand, this is not quite a standard wish on the part of the composer, but in this concert he considered it possible.

Conductor Rotislav Krimer:
Today, the world of art has lost a great genius — Rodion Shchedrin. His musical legacy is priceless: works that will forever remain in history, remarkable for their scale, mastery, and depth. But Rodion Konstantinovich was not only an outstanding composer. He possessed exceptional intellect, a subtle and penetrating soul, and was the loving husband of the great Maya Plisetskaya.
I had the honor of knowing them both. It was a true joy to interact with them during the preparation of concerts and during memorable meetings. What remains most vivid in my memory is his incredible tact, sincere kindness, attention to every person, and the extraordinary tenderness between him and Maya Mikhailovna. I feel truly fortunate to have witnessed these moments.
Today, ten years after Maya Mikhailovna’s passing, we say goodbye to Rodion Konstantinovich. Following the recent passing of Sofia Gubaidulina, we are losing yet another era. Great personalities are leaving us, but the hope they left in their works and their magnificent music will remain with us forever.
In the photo, taken by me backstage after the opera Levsha, a moment tied to that day will remain forever in my memory: Rodion Konstantinovich personally called to invite me to the performance, worried to ensure I received the ticket, and met me himself (I was incredibly moved) despite his busy schedule before the performance. This is an example of true intellect and human warmth — qualities that are genuinely rare today.
Thank you for everything, dear Rodion Konstantinovich! May your soul be reunited in heaven with Maya Mikhailovna. Please send us a little of your kindness from there…