KORNDORF, Nikolai S. (1947- 2001): "Jarilo" für Klavier und Tonband (1981, 25')
Dieses Klavierstück ist meiner Meinung nach eines der bedeutensten Werke der Russischen Musik des 20. Jahrhunderts. Nikolai Korndorf hat hier seinen eigenen Stil gefunden, den man eine "eigenartige Mischung zwischen Prokofjev, Stravinsky und dem amerikanischen Minimalismus" nennen könnte. Yarilo ist ein heidnischer Russischer Sonnengott. Das Verlaufen der Musik - meiner Meinung nach - stellt eine Klangatmosphäre im Wald dar. Am Anfang - hören wir die Morgenvögel. Dann werden sie immer lauter und lauter - und nach dem Höhepunkt kommt die ruhige Abendstimmung mit mystischen Glockengeläuten. Die Musik verschwindet im Abendhimmel... (Ivan Sokolov, 11.12.2004) 

KORNDORF, Nikolai S. (1947- 2001): A brief Statement about my Work
I belong to the direction in Russian music which addresses serious topics: philosophical, religious, moral, the problems of a person’s spiritual life, his relationship with the surrounding world, the problem of beauty and its relationship with reality, as well as the problem of loftiness and meaning in human beings and in art, relationship of the spiritual and the anti-spiritual. Most of my works were written not for fun and in no way can be classified as entertainment. I strive that every one of my works contains a message to each listener and that my music leaves no one indifferent, but aroused with an emotional response. I even accept that at times my music arouses negative emotions - as long as it is not indifference. I compose various types of music: dramatic and lyric, ecstatic and absolutely calm, humorous and tragic. Everything depends on the aim of the specific piece. Some of my pieces are composed using contrasting material. The others - without contrasting material emphasizing a singular emotional state. I strive to make my music have many interpretations rather that one meaning. This difference of characters produces a multilayered complexity and a polyphony of texture in any cast I use. Most of my pieces last from 20 to 40 minutes. Prolonged dynamic, large culminations and an attempt to create monumentalism and colorfulness of sound are generally typical of my music. I attempt to synthesize composing techniques and elements of different styles and trends, sometimes opposite to each other, because I believe that our time is the time of synthesis. That is why my music reflects the medieval choral, elements of modern rock music, folk music and underground music and it contains elements of romantic music, European vanguard music and American minimalism. I work in various genres but mainly in symphonic and chamber music using both traditional (for example: Symphonies # 1, 2, 3 and 4, opera MR (Marina and Rainer), brass-quintet and string trio) and nontraditional tendencies. In symphonic pieces I often use a large cast to create an extended and a volumetrical sound. In chamber music I frequently employ nontraditional casts (Confessiones, Amoroso, Primitive music, Movements, Let the Earth Bring Forth, Get Out!!!). I repeatedly addressed the genre of an instrumental theater where the performers and even the instruments are the characters (Yes!!, “...si muove”, The Dance in metal in honour of John Cage). I also used instrumental theater (dance, movements of the performers) in some of my chamber pieces (Confessiones, Primitive music, Mozart-variationen, Get Out!!!). Sometimes I combine live sound with recording (Singing, Yarilo, Movements). I like to use the performers in unconventional ways: instrumentalists as singers, singers as instrumental performer, a conductor as a musical instrument performer (Yes!!, Victor, string Quartet, Welcome, Amoroso).

(Aufnahme des Klaviertrios "Are you ready brother" und des Streichtrios in Moskau August 2001)