for symphony orchestra
The piece was premiered by the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia on September 15, 2022, conducted by Fyodor Lednyov. The U.S. premiere took place on November 12, 2023, performed by the Indiana University Concert Orchestra under the direction of David Dzubay at the Indiana University Musical Arts Center as part of the New Voices Orchestra concert. The work was named a finalist for the New England Philharmonic’s 2026 New Music Readings.
Duration: 12′
Program notes
April 10, 2019, marked a turning point in the history of astronomical observation. As part of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project, the first image revealing the shadow of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Messier 87 galaxy was presented. This image provided a new test of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
The M87 black hole is surrounded by a glowing accretion disk of superheated matter. MESSIER 87 for symphony orchestra (2020) is based on the idea of spinning: a motion that gradually transforms into turbulence, storms, and explosions. The piece represents an approach toward this gigantic object through clouds of dust, a close observation of its immense presence, and a return into the cold depths of outer space.
Related:
MESSIER 87 for Orchestra Receives U.S. Premiere
MESSIER 87 Receives World Premiere in Saint Petersburg