An International Composers Competition in St. Petersburg: Part 1

By Paul Kilbey, 22 April 2012

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Reviewed at Shostakovich Philharmonic Hall: Grand Hall, St Petersburg on 18 April 2012

Varlamova, To you, O Lord

Titov, Stichera, sung during a prayer canon to the Most Holy Mother of God

Maslakov, O Lord, I have besought Thee

Konshina, O Virgin, I pray to Thee

Works by Various

Mariinsky Theatre Chorus

Andrei Petrenko, Choirmaster / chorus director

Divna Ljuvojevic, Soprano

Melodie Chorus

A study in black and terror in Naples

Lorenzo Fiorito, 15th April

Many scenes could risk to be particularly disturbing, but their overt brutality appeared functional, to the structure of the drama. A dark, gloomy story as unambiguously told as it should be.

****1

Gergiev and the Mariinsky keep the Red Flag flying

Mark Pullinger, 3rd September

“Our business is rejoicing, our business is rejoicing.” In the Soviet Union, composers quickly learnt when to toe the Party line.

****1

Mariinsky forces sparkle in Prokofiev's comedy

Simon Rees, 2nd November

The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff celebrates its 10th anniversary this autumn, and as part of the celebrations the Mariinsky Opera, under its conductor Valery Gergiev, was invited back for a concert performance of Prokofiev’s comic opera, Betrothal in a Monastery.

*****

Gergiev and the Mariinsky excel in Wagner's Parsifal at the Birmingham Symphony Hall

Andrew H. King, 6th April

Why attend a concert performance of an opera? What is the point without the action and the spectacle collectively resulting in, hopefully, the awe-inspiring whole? In answer to this I should like to suggest that concert performances of opera are the perfect opportunity to really ‘get under the skin’ of a work, for two principal reasons.

****1

Noseda's Rachmaninov

Katy S. Austin, 31st July

From Soprano Svetla Vasseliva’s vampish allure to Gianandrea Noseda’s warrior-like conducting, Prom 22 was a quintessentially Romantic affair with Russia at its heart.

****1

Gergiev et le Mariinsky touchent le Graal : Parsifal à la Philharmonie

Tristan Labouret, 22nd September

Sous la direction frémissante de Valery Gergiev, les troupes du Théâtre Mariinsky se sont surpassées dans l'œuvre de Wagner. Yulia Matochkina a marqué les esprits en Kundry.

****1

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Paul Kilbey

Paul was Reviews Editor at Bachtrack from 2012 to February 2014. He has written on music and culture for publications including Culture Wars, the Huffington Post, the Independent and the Guardian. He holds BA and MPhil degrees in music from Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and is particularly passionate about contemporary music of all types. His website is here.