Dmitri Smolsky

The main theme of Smolski’s works has always been philosophical understanding of human life and destiny in a totalitarian society, the depth of psychological state of the person in dramatic situations. Each of his 15 symphonies reflects dramatic, tragic or sarcastic aspects of the complex individual experiences in the interaction with aggression or indifference of the world.

Operas: "Hoary Legend" (1978); "Francis Skaryna" (1988); concert opera "Apalon-zakanadautsa" based on Vardotsky’s opera (1991).

"The Partisan Triptych" on the poems by M. Tank (1971). "Pietrus" (1979), "My Motherland” on the poems by N. Gіlevіch (1979).

Dmitry Smolski was not afraid to enter into a confrontation with the generally accepted semi-official style prevailing in the Belarusian art at that time. He created the original symphony "Oktofoniya" (1967) and chamber oratorio "Song of Hiroshima" on the poems by Japanese poets (1965). Both artworks were written in the serial technique. In those years Smolski often used elements of avant-garde style in his chamber music. We can’t help mentioning his great works with elements of humor (Concertino for violin, Variations for wind instruments and percussion). In the later works, this gentle humor turned into sarcasm with elements of tragic farce (Variations with the Belarusian mentality, 15th Symphony, parts of other symphonies, etc.).

Music for films: "Rechitskaya lyrical" (1966), "Peter Kupriyanov and others", "The Legend about Minsk" (1967), "There was a war" (1972), "Feedback" (1973), "Wolf Pack" (1975).

Festive Overture (1963), music for stringed instruments, 2 pipes, accordion and orchestra (1965), poem "Belarus" (1968), Symphonic Picture (1974); Aria for chamber orchestra (1978), "Symon Musician" for violin, violin ensemble and chamber orchestra (1982).

From 1962 till 2014 D. Smolski taught composition at the Belarusian State Academy of Music.

Creative path of Dmitry Smolski which began in the late 1950s is the brightest page in the history of modern music. He is one of those composers who created a completely new trend in the Belarusian music of the late 1960s – early 1970s and demonstrated a fundamentally new attitude to the art of composing. Brilliant talent and mastery in modern composing techniques (D. Smolski had a lively interest in European avant-garde of the 1960s) became the basis of a rare form of perfection in all his works. The unique author's nature of composing allows listeners and connoisseurs to talk about an outstanding “Smolski’s tone”.

Dmitry Smolski (July 25, 1937 – September 29, 2017) was a Belarusian composer, Honored Artist of Belorussian SSR (1975), laureate of the State Prize of BSSR (1980), National Artist of the Republic of Belarus (1987), laureate of the Order of Francysk Skaryna (2013), professor. Dmitry Smolsky was the father of Victor Smolski, guitarist of the German sympho metal band Almanac.