Aimez-vous Rachmaninov? Alexander Melnikov at Musikfest Berlin

Nadezhda Pavlova and Alexander Melnikov

Olga Pashchenko and Alexander Melnikov

Alexander Rudin and Alexander Melnikov

By Elena Luporini, 30 August 2023

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“even within the outbursts of volume no energy went to waste”

Reviewed at Philharmonie: Kammermusiksaal, Berlin on 27 August 2023

Rachmaninov, Cello Sonata in G minor, Op.19

Rachmaninov, Six Songs, Op.38

Schubert, Wohin?, D.795b (trans. Rachmaninov)

Tchaikovsky, Six songs, Op.16 (Lullaby) (trans. Rachmaninov)

Rachmaninov, Symphonic Dances, Op.45

Nadezhda Pavlova, Soprano

Alexander Rudin, Cello

Olga Pashchenko, Piano

Alexander Melnikov, Piano

Bach sheds light in an impressively dark outing from the ACO

Nick Boston, 21st March

Energetic commitment from the ACO at the Barbican, with precision and edge from Alexander Melnikov and Jeroen Berwaerts in an evening of darkness and light.

****1

Energetic Scottish Symphony lifts a weighty evening with the LPO

Nick Boston, 20th January

Ponomarchuk and the LPO raise the spirits in Felix Mendelssohn's Scottish Symphony after an underwhelming first half at the Brighton Dome.

***11

Mixed performances in Ligeti and Mozart from Les Siècles

David Truslove, 20th August

Three concertos and a symphony made for an unusual but generous programme, but Les Siècles illustrate that versatility can come with mixed blessings.

***11

Prom 19: From dawn to death with Thomas Dausgaard and the BBCSSO

Leighton Jones, 2nd August

Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra fills the Royal Albert Hall, while Schumann’s piano concerto is followed by MacMillan’s masterpiece The Confession of Isobel Gowdie.

****1

Melnikov and Staier bring intimacy and fresh edge to Schubert

Nick Boston, 10th January

Alexander Melnikov and Andreas Staier's sensitive and insightful performances, combined with the fortepiano's freshness and added edge, make for a special evening of Schubert.

*****

A great Wigmore evening with Melnikov and Cuarteto Casals

Sebastian Scotney, 20th September

Three great and contrasting works from different centuries, in superlative performances; a surprising programme with a real touch of alchemy.

*****

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Elena Luporini

After completing their Master's degree in Musicology in Rome, Elena has now moved to Berlin to dedicate themselves to more things musical. With a publication on Béla Bartók and a seminar at the Humboldt-Universität underway, their interests mostly veer toward 20th-century opera, with some forays into queer musicology. Some of their latest undertakings also include oboe lessons, stencil-making and tea-making.