The intensity with which the Russian composer Herman Galynin (1922-66) lived his short life is reflected in the extraordinarily high voltage of his music. In spite of a difficult start in life – he was an orphan – his instinctive musicality combined with the impulsiveness of his personality to make him one of the best known of Soviet composers while he was a student. Although mental illness put an early end to his meteoric career, the wild, freewheeling energy of his compositions – as witness these five works for strings – leave little doubt that Galynin would have been one of the major musical voices of the second half of the twentieth century; as it is, what he did achieve is remarkable.

“brilliantly creative writing ... deeply indebted to Shostakovich yet redeemed by an irrepressible personality” – Rob Barnett, MusicWeb International (Galynin Piano Music Vol.1, TOCC0076)

“...Olga Solovieva, her choice as soloist was inspired. She brings clarity and a wide variety in her touch to these virtuosic performances, while remaining properly responsive to both the poetic and caustic sides of Galynin’s musical personality.... Definitely recommended, with a side order of congratulations to Toccata Classics for making this the first of a series.” – Barry Brenesal, Fanfare (Galynin Piano Music Vol.1, TOCC0076)