October 10, 2006

"ZUN MIT A REGN" (Sun and Rain) in St. Petersburg

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
info@joodsemuziekprojecten.n OR / jmp@tiscalimail.nl.
See also: www.joodsemuziekprojecten.nl.
Posted by jmwc at October 10, 2006 11:23 AM