Shchedrin's śuvre spans nearly every musical genre, and it is hardly surprising that an output of such versatility contains some rather remarkable instrumental combinations, for example ''Music from afar'' for 2 bass recorders, or ''Balalaika'' for a solo violin playing pizzicato throughout. This predilection for the unusual leads the composer in ''Parabola concertante'' with its basically subdued and contemplative mood to add a charcteristic counterpoint by contrasting the accompanying string orchestra with timpani. The piece was composed for master virtuoso Mstislav Rostropovitch, who played the solo part in the first performance at the International Cello Festival in Kronberg.