“Echo,” the fourth movement of Sviridov's choral concerto “A Pushkin Wreath,” exhibits a number of the composer's typical stylistic traits: long note values, a solo line over a chordal texture sung a bocca chiusa, intricate divisi voice lines, elaborate dynamic effects, and static harmony. The composer imposes his own peculiar pacing and acoustical effects: time appears to be “frozen,” and movement is accomplished through space and color. The overall effect is meant to create a sensitized listening environment in which the word is heard anew—through the composer’s perception.
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