"Zun mit a regn", St. Petersburg, Russia, Oct 12
The Amsterdam Jewish Music Projects Foundation will be taking part in
the Russian Centennial Celebration for Dmitri Shostakovich with the
programme "Zun mit a regn" (Sun and Rain) that is to be performed at the
Shostakovich Conferences in St. Petersburg on 12 and 13 October. The
programme, which premiered in the Netherlands, includes chamber music and
songs composed by Shostakovich himself and by his friends Mieczyslaw
Weinberg and Veniamin Basner. The central source of inspiration for the
works on the programme is the music of the Jewish people, oppressed in
Russia during the Stalin regime. The works will be performed by singer
Sovali (soprano), violinist Grigory Sedukh, cellist Alexander Oratovski and
pianist Paul Prenen. The performances are supported by the Wilhelmina E.
Jansen Fund.
Concerts:
. 12 October 2006, 7 PM at the Composers Hall, St. Petersburg
. 13 October 2006, 4 PM at the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Museum Apartment (with
lecture by Julia Broido)
The complete program includes:
M. Weinberg, Jewish Songs, Op.13 (Y.L. Perets) (1943)
M. Weinberg, Sonata for Cello Solo, No.1, Op.72 (1960)
D. Shostakovich, Prelude and Fugue, Op.87, No.8 in F sharp minor for piano
(1950-51)
D. Shostakovich, "From Jewish Folk Poetry", Op.79, Nos.1, 3, 5, 7 (1948)
D. Shostakovich, Piano Trio No.2, Op. 67 (1944)
V. Basner, Poem for Violin and Piano, Op. 7, No.1
V. Basner, Songs from the musical "Jewish Luck", Op. 45 (1994)
From the reviews of previous performances in the Netherlands:
Eindhovens Dagblad: "Brilliant Yiddish lyricism!"
Enschede Synagogue: "The impressive programme went over very well with
the audience. Everyone found it fascinating to witness how original Jewish
music that was barely known, if at all, was brought back to life.."
Jan Roelofs' review of the concert at Museum 'De Buitenplaats' in Eelde:
"How does one describe atmosphere? Not with words like professional or
virtuoso, although they were certainly applicable. In any case, the
atmosphere of the concert was created by the Jewish sounds, the melancholy
and sometimes heartbreaking grief that could be heard, by the sounds and
rhythms that said, "I shall persevere and won't let them grind me down," by
the Yiddish lyrics translated so professionally they could almost be
followed word for word. Yet the atmosphere was of course predominantly
determined by (the musicians). In a beautifully structured programme of
songs and instrumental works (partly performed as solos), they exhibited
their professionalism, virtuosity and above all their pleasure in singing
and playing. The warm cello and violin sounds, the beautiful, supple and
agile voice and the pianist who conjured up a rich palette of sounds from
the grand piano, were important ingredients in the special atmosphere of
this concert.."
The DSCH Journal: "This was an unforgettable event in which the
musicians gave their all. Bravo!"
Information:
Jewish Music Projects, c/o Sofie van Lier, phone: 020-6623675
Grigory Sedukh, phone: +7 (812) 2334808
See also: www.joodsemuziekprojecten.nl.
