New Orthodox music in a theatrical St Petersburg setting

By Gavin Dixon, 11 July 2014

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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.

Redemption and musical caffeine: Nelsons conducts Mahler 8 in Vienna

Mark Pullinger, 10th May

Sunday morning Mahler at the Wiener Konzerthaus sees Andris Nelsons concluding his symphony cycle with the Vienna Philharmonic in shattering fashion.

****1

Expressive 18th-century music from the Belgrade Philharmonic

Peter Connors, 8th May

Julien Chauvin leads the Belgrade Philharmonic in spirited performances of varied music by CPE Bach and Haydn, with local star flautist Ana Kaličanin Radivojević as soloist.

****1

Classical grace and Romantic eloquence from the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 7th May

The contrasting delights of Schumann, Brahms and Dvořák are powerfully evoked in performances of charm, eloquence and high drama from the Philharmonia, continuing the orchestra’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

****1

Edward Gardner: quietly impressive in Chicago

Graham Meyer, 7th May

Peter Lieberson's Neruda Songs with the mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato teem with subtle brilliances.

*****

An au courant odyssey with the Czech Philharmonic in Prague

Frank Kuznik, 7th May

Conducted by Semyon Bychkov, the Czech Philharmonic shows its versatility with a sharp, smart evening of modern music.

****1

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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.