Edouard Artemiev - Siberiade (1979)

Siberiade was directed in 1979 by Russian film maker Andreyi Konchalovski, whose most celebrated films are as different as Maria's Lovers and Tango & Cash. Before entering mainstream Hollywood car chase culture, Konchalovski gained some repute as a film director and screenwriter in Europe and the US through relatively successful movies like Uncle Vanya and Siberiade (or Sibiriada, or Сибириада). Siberiade was filmed in 1979, won the Jury Special Prize in Cannes that year, and brought him the international recognition that would eventually take him to Hollywood.

Siberiade, according to IMDB, is a "story about a very small god-forgotten village in Siberia [which] reflects the history of Russia from the beginning of the century till the early 80s. Three generations try to find the land of happiness and to give it to the people. One builds the road through Taiga to the star over the horizon, the second 'builds communism' and the third searches for oil. The oil is found but this is followed by the destruction of the old cemetry and everything the people of the village cared for in order to get the 'black treasure' of Siberia".

The soundtrack, never released on CD, is something of a mystery. There is a clear cut distinction between sides A and B of the record, probably related to the historical phases which the plotline above describes. Side A (except track 7) contains several traditional tunes from Siberia, possibly arranged by Artemiev, through the voice of Dmitry Bouzilev. It seems difficult to believe that Bouzilev is backed by the same outfit that takes the B side, and Artemiev's contribution to these pieces remains doubtful; the label is to blame for such uncertainties.
Side B, by contrast, features synth-washed prog experiments by the Soviet band Boomerang (Бумеранг). This short-lived group includes Edouard Artemiev (better known for his soundtracks for Tarkovski's Solaris and Stalker) and Yury Bogdanov on the synths, backed by drums, bass and guitar, oscillating between more straightforward prog and ambient-like pieces. Tracks A7 and B5 are also played by the USSR State Cinema Orchestra, Révélation being one of the most interesting scores included here. While it may be strange, but not necessarily bad, to see a "world music" label like Le Chant du Monde releasing prog music, it is to be regretted that so little info is included in this edition.

A1. Ma Beauté a Fleuri Trop Tôt

A2. Le Soleil

A3. Les Yeus Emeraude

A4. La Chanson des Tziganes de Sibérie

A5. Le Long Chemin

A6. Dimitri

A7. Révélation

B1. Le Feu

B2. Le Vent de L'espoir (char à vole)

B3. Le Tourbillon de L'histoire

B4. Les Balançoires

B5. La Mort du Héros

Alexey Zagirov - bass

Edouard Artemiev - synthesizer

Yury Bogdanov - synthesizer, guitar

Sergey Bogdanov - percussion

Dmitry Bouzilev - vocals

Released by Le Chant du Monde in 1979.

A Petrol Pump to Prof. DOUBLE AVENUE for the fine vinyl rip.

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