Events
November 2, 2010 —
Камерный зал Московского Международного Дома музыки (Космодамианская наб., д.52, стр.8)
Robin Hancock, Scott Holden, Paul Pollei, Jeffrey Shumwa
“Europe is interesting for its past, America for its future”.
Anton Rubinstein
Anton Rubinstein was the first Russian musician whose fame spread far beyond Europe in his lifetime. During his American tour which lasted from September 1872 to May 1873 the virtuoso appeared on stage 215 times, demonstrating an unparalleled stamina and enjoying great triumphs. He performed both solo and together with the violinist Henryk Wieniawski, singers and orchestras.
Being in permanent contact with musicians and impresarios of the New World, Rubinstein foretold the swift development of American orchestras, and foresaw the great future of the new concert industry. However almost every day Rubinstein was in conflict with his American impresarios. The pianist insisted on presenting serious academic music – the impresarios tried to persuade him to alternate major works by Beethoven, Schumann and Mendelssohn with light “brilliant” variations, paraphrases and virtuosic improvisations on popular themes. Rubinstein eventually compromised, when a certain disappointed American asked him: “Why do not you play something for the soul?!!”
Thanks to such persistent music lovers Americans listened to Rubinstein’s transcriptions of his own themes and different popular melodies. The pianist crowned his farewell performance with an improvisation on the famous “Yankee Doodle” theme. Then he wrote it down and included it in ор. 93 alongside his other piano compositions.
The programme of the concert is shaped on Rubinstein’s American recitals. With the exception of the fact that now we can listen only to virtuosic improvisations and transcriptions written by the composer himself to retain the best sparkles of his brilliant inspiration.
Anton Rubinstein. “Lezghinka”, from the opera “Demon” (arr. by Eduard Langer)
Antonin Dvorak. Five Slavonic Dances (arr. by Robert Keller)
Franz Liszt. Les Preludes (arr. by Emil Kronke)
Emmanuel Chabrier. España (arr. by Camille Chevillard)
Moritz Moszkowski. Five Spanish Dances
Mack Wilberg. Fantasy on themes from Bizet’s Carmen
Complete festival schedule
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Камерный зал Московского Международного Дома музыки (Космодамианская наб., д.52, стр.8)
The American Piano Quartet (USA)
Robin Hancock, Scott Holden, Paul Pollei, Jeffrey Shumwa
“Europe is interesting for its past, America for its future”.
Anton Rubinstein
Anton Rubinstein was the first Russian musician whose fame spread far beyond Europe in his lifetime. During his American tour which lasted from September 1872 to May 1873 the virtuoso appeared on stage 215 times, demonstrating an unparalleled stamina and enjoying great triumphs. He performed both solo and together with the violinist Henryk Wieniawski, singers and orchestras.
Being in permanent contact with musicians and impresarios of the New World, Rubinstein foretold the swift development of American orchestras, and foresaw the great future of the new concert industry. However almost every day Rubinstein was in conflict with his American impresarios. The pianist insisted on presenting serious academic music – the impresarios tried to persuade him to alternate major works by Beethoven, Schumann and Mendelssohn with light “brilliant” variations, paraphrases and virtuosic improvisations on popular themes. Rubinstein eventually compromised, when a certain disappointed American asked him: “Why do not you play something for the soul?!!”
Thanks to such persistent music lovers Americans listened to Rubinstein’s transcriptions of his own themes and different popular melodies. The pianist crowned his farewell performance with an improvisation on the famous “Yankee Doodle” theme. Then he wrote it down and included it in ор. 93 alongside his other piano compositions.
The programme of the concert is shaped on Rubinstein’s American recitals. With the exception of the fact that now we can listen only to virtuosic improvisations and transcriptions written by the composer himself to retain the best sparkles of his brilliant inspiration.
Anton Rubinstein. “Lezghinka”, from the opera “Demon” (arr. by Eduard Langer)
Antonin Dvorak. Five Slavonic Dances (arr. by Robert Keller)
Franz Liszt. Les Preludes (arr. by Emil Kronke)
Emmanuel Chabrier. España (arr. by Camille Chevillard)
Moritz Moszkowski. Five Spanish Dances
Mack Wilberg. Fantasy on themes from Bizet’s Carmen
Complete festival schedule
Back to index
