New Orthodox music in a theatrical St Petersburg setting

By Gavin Dixon, 11 July 2014

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

Reviewed at Hermitage Theatre, St Petersburg, St Petersburg on 7 July 2014

Martynov, The Beatitiudes

Protasov, Song of St. Sergius of Radonezh

Demutsky, The Tale of Peter and Fevroniya of Murom

Youth Chamber Choir of St Petersburg Philharmonic Society

The Rimsky-Korsakov St. Petersburg State Conservatory Choir of the Opera and Ballet Theatre

State Hermitage Orchestra

Olga Georgieva, Soprano

Ilya Kuzmin, Baritone

Yulia Khutoretskaya, Choirmaster / chorus director

Fabio Mastrangelo, Conductor

An International Composers Competition in St. Petersburg: Part 2

Paul Kilbey, 19th April

The second concert of the St. Romanos Melodos I International Composers Competition featured the remaining six winning pieces performed by two choirs: that of the Mikhailovsky Theatre with Vladimir Stolpovskikh, and the St. Petersburg Youth Chamber Choir with Yulia Khutoretskaya.

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

Nicholas McGegan brings delicacy and elegance to Mendelssohn

Erica Miner, 18th April

The Seattle Symphony offers an enchanting evening immersed in the joy and brilliance of both the young and the mature genius of Felix Mendelssohn.

****1

Picture postcard Spain from the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia

Phil Parker, 17th April

Vibrant, colourful music is played with every last ounce of enthusiasm as the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia rounds off its UK tour at Sheffield City Hall.

****1

Tarmo Peltokoski conducts the Hallé in Mahler and Vaughan Williams

Leighton Jones, 16th April

Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder provide an apt, if somewhat unexpected, partner to Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

****1

Alexandre Kantorow in recital: a pianophile’s dream

Sam Jacobson, 16th April

A daring mix of rarities and late masterpieces at Severance Music Center confirms Alexandre Kantorow as a pianist of both staggering technique and uncommon depth.

*****

More reviews...

Gavin Dixon

Gavin Dixon is a writer, journalist and editor specialising in classical music. He writes for publications such as Gramophone, Classical Music and BBC Music Magazine. Gavin has a PhD on the symphonies of Alfred Schnittke and is a member of the editorial team for the “Alfred Schnittke Collected Works” edition. His website is here.