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Igor PalivodaComposer
Date of Birth: 16.05.1950
Country:  Belarus |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Born into a family of musicians on May 16, 1950, in Sterlitamak, Bashkiria, Igor Palyvoda moved with his family to Minsk in the same year. In 1957, he enrolled in the piano section of the music school at the Belarusian State Conservatory (BGK) under Professor G.I. Shershevsky. From 1968-1974, he continued his studies at BGK under the same mentor.
Career in Music
Palyvoda's exceptional talent was recognized when he became a laureate of the All-Union Pianists' Competition in Minsk as a fourth-year student at BGK in 1973. After graduating in 1974, he served in the Soviet Army. In 1975, he joined the Concert and Variety Bureau of the Belarusian State Philharmonic, collaborating with pianist Alexander Gilevich and later as a pianist in the band of the Zaславl restaurant near Minsk.
In 1978, Palyvoda was invited by Vladimir Mulyavin to join the legendary ensemble "Pesnyary" as a replacement for the ailing pianist. In 1983, he re-enrolled at the BGK in the department of composition under Professor D. Smolskiy, graduating in 1988 and returning to "Pesnyary" for a year.
Unique Contributions
Palyvoda's extraordinary compositional talent extended beyond music. He was the editor of the satirical newspaper "SMUR" ("Society of Musical Craftsmen") within "Pesnyary." From 1989, he simultaneously worked as an arranger for the State Concert Orchestra of Belarus under M. Finberg and participated in Igor Safonov's jazz ensemble "The Fifth Corner."
Compositions and Collaborations
Palyvoda's works encompass a wide range, including:Six piano preludes (1970s)
"Merry Beggars" (1981)
Piano variations (1984)
Piano sonata (1985)
"Raymonda" for chamber orchestra and timpani (1985)
"Music for Strings and Piano" (1986)
Piano concerto (1987)
Cantata "Slovo" (1988)
Scherzo for wooden wind instruments (1995)
Choral fugue "Solfeggio Lesson" (1995)
Prelude and fugue for string orchestra (1995)
Pop-opera "Maksim" (1992)
Opera-song "Belarushchyna" (1993)
Song cycle "Mother's Song" (1994)
Cycle "Neman" based on folk texts (1995)
Legacy
Palyvoda enriched Belarusian music with the finest traditions of academic music. His virtuosic pianism became a hallmark of "Pesnyary's" instrumental style. As an arranger, he contributed immensely to the ensemble's history, crafting arrangements for iconic songs such as "Belarusachka," "Lyudka," and "Marysia."
Beyond music, Palyvoda was a talented caricaturist, writer, and author of an unpublished three-volume science fiction novel. He also left behind a collection of unpublished diaries (1980-1995) that serve as an indispensable part of his creative legacy.
Igor Palyvoda's untimely passing on February 28, 1996, was a great loss to Belarusian music and culture. His vast talent, infectious humor, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire and enrich the lives of countless listeners and artists alike.
