Kapustin expert Thomas Ang presents a recital of music by Nikolay Kapustin (1937-2020), including some of his unpublished compositions. The concert will include the UK premiere of Kapustin’s First Cello Sonata, Op. 63, performed together with cellist Corinna Boylan.
Ukrainian-born Nikolay Kapustin (1937-2020) was one of Russia’s most famous modern-day composers. His attempts to synthesize jazz and classical techniques give his music a sound that sets it apart. In his talk, Kapustin expert Thomas Ang will explore the history and development of that style and discuss how Kapustin’s work differs from other composers who have tried to tie the two genres together.
Proudly collaborating with the Orpheus Sinfonia for the first time, Pushkin House presents a programme of masterpieces of Russian chamber repertoire, rarely heard in live performance. Vibrant, dynamic and inspiring, Orpheus Sinfonia is a young, bright beacon of the orchestral scene, producing high-quality performances for public benefit, exploring new and ground-breaking avenues and also actively engaging with accessible performances, outreach work and community interaction.
This concert presents a unique opportunity to explore the vocal output of Russian composer Anton Arensky (1861-1906), whose talent was placed incredibly high by Tchaikovsky. Students and graduates of the Guildhall School of music and Drama combine forces with pianists Alina Sorokina and Thomas Ang to present a varied and innovative programme shedding light on the music of this rarely-heard composer. The programme includes Tchaikovsky’s Legend, Op. 54 no. 5, which Arensky used as a theme for his famous Variations, Op. 35a.
Although totally forgotten today, Muscovite Iosif Genishta was a renowned composer and pianist in his day. His artistic friendships included Pushkin, Princess Volkonskaya, Robert Schumann and Hector Berlioz when the latest visited Russia. He was also active as teacher and organiser of musical events: the earliest performances in Russia of Beethoven's piano concertos were the result of his skills as a promoter of large-scale musical events. Most probably a cellist himself, Genishta wrote three cello sonatas, reminiscent in style to early Beethoven. The second one was particularly praised by Schumann.
Prizewinner of Cleveland, Busoni and Paderewski international piano competitions, Ukrainian - born Russian-trained Dinara Klinton makes a welcome return to the Pushkin House. Now a professor of the Royal College of Music in London, Dinara will play a selection of Prokofiev Sonatas, all of which she recorded for Piano Classics in 2020.
This concert offers the opportunity to hear two rarely performed gems of the Russian chamber music: Mikhail Glinka’s unfinished viola sonata in two movements, a rare work for that instrument of the time, and Nikolay Medtner’s third and grandest violin sonata, which he composed in London.
Invented 100 years ago by Russian Physicist Lev Thermen, the Theremin is an unique instrument which is played without being touched. There is an option to take part in an afternoon workshop, before an evening concert. Both will be given by British based composer Lydia Kavina, the inventor’s grand-daughter. Programme includes works by Glinka, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Medtner, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.
An adventurous concert of songs, works for piano and duets for piano with clarinet or flute selected by Alexander Karpeyev and performed by outstanding young musicians and singers in an out-of-house-venue St Paul’s Covent Garden. The programme includes the world premiere of songs composed by Stravinsky’s teacher Leokadiya Kashperova. Pianists Thomas Ang, Jocelyn Freeman, Alexander Karpeyev, Martin Malmgren, Marina Staneva, Olga Paliy, clarinet player Boyan Ivanov and flautist Pasha Mansurov will present instrumental works and accompany singers Jonathan de Garis, Betty Makharinsky, Iestyn Morris, Laura Peresivana and Yulya Shkvarko.
Young pianists from Finland, Germany, Singapore, Uzbekistan and UK performing rarely heard works for piano by composers Lyadov, Lyapunov, Medtner, Mosolov, Myaskovky, Shoot, Stanchinsky, Volkonsky and Ustvolskaya. The concert includes the UK premiere of Nikolay Golovanov’s Piano Sonata.
A rare opportunity to attend a master class given by Tatiana Sarkissova, Professor of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music. Recognised as one of the most distinguished exponents of the Moscow school of piano playing. Tatiana is in a constant demand as a teacher, she has been Professor of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music since 1993. The master class will take the form of Professor Sarkissova working through short pieces of Russian works for piano with three students from leading conservatories of music.
The inaugural Festival of Russian Music by Pushkin House opens with a concert in the exceptional acoustic of the historic baroque church St John’s Smith Square in Westminster. Dedicated to the memory of Alexandra Anastasia Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn OBE and commemorates the 140th anniversary of the birth of Nikolay Medtner.
