Ustvolskaya, Galina Ivanovna (1919–2006)

Russian composer. Employing the minimum of means, her music drew from serialism and from local Russian traditions, but ultimately her style was completely independent. She wrote 21 pieces in her characteristic style, including her modern, widely performed Violin Sonata (1952); single movement symphonies such as Symphony No. 2 – True and Eternal Bliss, for voice and small orchestra (1979); and piano sonatas whose extreme rhythmic juxtapositions caused one critic to dub her ‘the lady with the hammer’.

Ustvolskaya studied 1939–47 at the Leningrad Conservatory with Dmitri Shostakovich, who commented that he felt under her influence and not the reverse, and who defended her against the Stalinist authorities.

Works Orchestral five symphonies: no. 1 for two descant voices and orchestra (1955), no. 2 ‘True and Eternal Bliss’ for boy speaker and orchestra (1979), no. 3 ‘Jesus, Messiah, Save Us’ with boy speaker (1983), no. 4 ‘Prayer’ with trumpet, tam-tam, and piano (1987), no. 5 ‘Amen’ with male speaker (1990).

Chamber Trio for clarinet, violin, and piano (1949), Octet (1950), Violin Sonata (1952), Composition I-III (1970–75); six piano sonatas (1947–88).