A programme filled with thoroughbred Russian orchestral music
We open with the glorious Fantasie-overture from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet. The musicians pull out all the stops and the string and wind section can be heard in all their glory. The characters from the drama are musically played off against each other, and – typical for Tchaikovsky – the themes stick in your head for hours.
This might leave the much more modest violin concerto from Myaskovsky (photo) going unnoticed. This composer didn’t receive as much attention as his older contemporary, but didn’t mind that as much, being a very humble and modest man. However, he did write 27 symphonies and 13 string quartets between 1910 and 1950, and was a much-respected professor at Moscow’s conservatory. The star violinist Vadim Repin and conductor Valery Gergiev with his St. Petersburg orchestra do his music justice.
Playlist:
- Pjotr Iljitsj Tchaikovsky – Fantasie-Overture Romeo & Juliet
Kirov Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev
- Nikolaj Myaskovsky – Violin concerto in D minor, op.44
Vadim Repin, violin / Kirov Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev
