‘Letter to V. Martynov and G. Pelecis’ (1999): Intertextuality and Wealth of Meanings in Nikolai Korndorf’s Final Piano Work

Abstract

One of the key semantic strategies employed by Nikolai Korndorf throughout his mature oeuvre is intertextuality. Intertextuality is defined as a situation whereby the listener is able to assimilate meanings within one work, by making further and wider associations with another work, usually through quotation or pastiche. In his final piano work, ‘Letter to V. Martynov and G. Pelecis’ (1999), Korndorf employs several different types of intertextual strategy to convey meaning. In this report, I explore these different types of intertextuality. I also examine the difficulties that exist in employing intertextuality within a minimalist structure.

Keywords

Nikolai Korndorf, ‘Letter to V. Martynov and G. Pelecis’, minimalist music, intertextuality, Post-Soviet music, Russian piano music