Role

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Composer

Birth

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March 15, 1953 in Leningrad, Russia

 

Victor Kissine is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on April 15, 1953, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now St. Petersburg, Russia). He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. This musical environment had a significant impact on Kissine's early life, and he began studying music at a young age. Kissine attended the Leningrad Conservatory, where he studied composition with Boris Arapov and later with Sergei Slonimsky. He also studied orchestration with Leonid Karev and conducting with Ilya Musin. During his time at the conservatory, Kissine was exposed to a wide range of musical styles, including the works of Russian composers such as Shostakovich and Prokofiev, as well as the music of Western European composers like Mahler and Debussy. After completing his studies, Kissine began working as a composer and conductor in Leningrad. He also became involved with the St. Petersburg Contemporary Music Ensemble, which was founded in 1977 and focused on performing new works by Russian and international composers. Kissine served as the ensemble's artistic director from 1988 to 1991. In the early 1990s, Kissine moved to Brussels, Belgium, where he continued to compose and conduct. He became associated with the Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles, a contemporary music ensemble based in Mons, Belgium, and served as its artistic director from 1999 to 2003. Kissine has also worked with other prominent contemporary music ensembles, including the Arditti Quartet and the Klangforum Wien. Kissine's compositions are characterized by their intricate textures, subtle harmonies, and use of extended techniques. He often draws inspiration from literature and visual art, and his works frequently incorporate elements of improvisation and aleatoric techniques. Some of his most notable works include "Between Two Waves of the Sea" (1997), a chamber work for clarinet, cello, and piano; "Starry Sky Cycle" (2001), a song cycle for soprano and piano based on poems by Osip Mandelstam; and "Invisible" (2006), a concerto for violin and orchestra. One of Kissine's most significant works is his Symphony No. 4, "Les Nuits d'été" (2011), which was commissioned by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. The symphony is based on the poetry of Paul Verlaine and features a solo soprano voice, which sings the text in French. The work is divided into five movements, each of which corresponds to a different Verlaine poem. The symphony has been praised for its lush orchestration and emotional depth. Kissine has also composed several works for solo instruments, including "Capriccio" (1992) for solo violin and "Bagatelles" (2003) for solo piano. These works showcase Kissine's ability to create complex and nuanced textures with a single instrument. In addition to his work as a composer, Kissine has also been active as a conductor. He has conducted numerous premieres of his own works, as well as works by other contemporary composers. He has also worked with several prominent orchestras, including the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre National de Belgique, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Kissine's contributions to contemporary classical music have been widely recognized.

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