Often heralded as one of the finest Bach interpreters today, Sir András Schiff embarks on Book II of Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier at the prestigious BBC Proms – a supreme technical challenge for any performer and an astonishing experience for every listener, especially when they are played with the mastery and “gracious lucidity” (ArtsDesk) of Sir András Schiff. Schiff, “travelling deeper into the inexplicable mysteries of Bach’s music” (Observer), provides “masterly interpretations” (Bachtrack). His recital of the first volume at the BBC Proms was “one of those unforgettable revelations” (Observer).
Tchaikovsky, String Quartet No.1, op.11
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble is celebrated not only for its performances of Tchaikovsky but also, and especially, for its interpretations of Shostakovitch’s quartets. All of them have been recorded by the ensemble. The Borodin Quartet has frequently performed with Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Tchaikovsky, String Quartet No.2, op.22
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble is celebrated not only for its performances of Tchaikovsky but also, and especially, for its interpretations of Shostakovitch’s quartets. All of them have been recorded by the ensemble. The Borodin Quartet has frequently performed with Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Shostakovich, String Quartet No.8 in C minor, op.110
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble has recorded the complete quartets of Shostakovich and has frequently performed with Sviastoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Shostakovich, String Quartet No.3 in F major, op.73
Recorded in 1987, this program features the Borodin Quartet of Moscow. Founded in 1946, it concertized until 1955 under the name of Moscow Philharmonic Quartet. The ensemble has recorded the complete quartets of Shostakovich and has frequently performed with Sviastoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, David Oistrakh and Heinrich Neuhaus.
Rolando Villazón – Handel Arias
It would be hard to imagine a more seductive hero, a more passionate performer, a more glorious interpreter of the great Romantic roles of Verdi and Puccini than Rolando Villazón. Yet the singer’s temporary withdrawal from the spotlight in 2007 opened up a wealth of new possibilities for the singer. Among the ‘new paths’ that Villazón envisioned for the future were ‘adventures’ such as Baroque music. Next to a recording of works by the early Baroque composer Claudio Monteverdi (available from UNITEL CLASSICA), he now offers a selection of arias by George Frideric Handel. This intimate concert featuring Villazón and the Gabrieli Players under Paul McCreesh was filmed in a setting that ideally suits the style of the music, St. Paul’s Church in Deptford, near London, one of Britain’s finest Baroque churches. It was built between 1712 and 1730, almost exactly when Handel was writing his most celebrated operas and oratorios.
Britten: War Requiem
Fifty years to the day after its premiere, Andris Nelsons celebrated with his orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (which also gave that first performance), Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem through a special anniversary performance given at Coventry Cathedral, the site of its first performance, starring Erin Wall, Mark Padmore and Hanno Müller-Brachmann.
Rachmaninoff – The Piano Concertos Nos. 3 & 4
Performing all four piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff in just two days – a challenge for the Orchestre de Paris on the Rachmaninoff Weekend at the Philharmonie de Paris. Together with three different pianists young conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky who is considered one of the most outstanding talents in his homeland Russia, performs the concert. For the first concert of the cycle, Russian Rachmaninoff specialist Denis Matsuev takes on the titanic Concerto No. 3 with all his distinctive enthusiasm, before exploring the more modern outline of the less-known Concerto No. 4. A performance which was hailed by the French press as superlative.
Rachmaninoff – The Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Performing all four piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff in just two days – a challenge for the Orchestre de Paris on the Rachmaninoff Weekend at the Philharmonie de Paris. Together with three different pianists young conductor Stanislav Kochanovsky who is considered one of the most outstanding talents in his homeland Russia, performs the concert. In the second concert Nikolai Lugansky opens with the Piano Concerto No. 1, a work started when the composer was a student at the Moscow Conservatoire. The highlight of the evening is the Piano Concerto No. 2, the most popular of Rachmaninoff‘s four piano concertos, performed by the young Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov “who gave a superb account, ardent but never stretching the musical line too far” (Bachtrack).
Concert Monstre
Five hundred artists on stage is just what it takes to do justice to the grandeur and genius of Hector Berlioz. His Symphonie funèbre et triomphale, premiered at the Bastille, draws on this impressive cast of instrumental and vocal forces under the baton of François-Xavier Roth at the Philharmonie de Paris. Also to be heard are Berlioz’ works L’ impériale, Chant des chemins de fer and La Marseillaise in a breathtaking orchestration, sung with the participation of the audience. A gigantic and “outstanding concert” (ResMusica). PROGRAM: Grande Symphonie funèbre et triomphale; L’ impériale, Chant des chemins de fer, La Marseillaise