Weekend pass. Russian National Orchestra & Mikhail Pletnev (16.08.-18.08.)

 

The duet between Riga-born cellist Mischa Maisky and his daughter Lily Maisky creates exciting chamber music programmes, with no place for the routine or ordinary. Their combined playing is characterised by thrilling freedom and a unified sense of breath. Their dialogue and musical conversation seems so light and simple, but in reality it hides the depths of an extensive family music tradition, knowledge amassed over time, and true skill.

Mischa says of his performance process: “Music is very subjective, therefore it is open to many different interpretations. The number of possibilities is infinite, and their depth is infinite. We can never say from an interpretation that it is 'the' ultimate perfect one. Perfection in music is an illusion. I always compare it to trying to reach the horizon: the closer you get, the more it goes, always. It does not mean that one should not try to get closer to it, but with the realization that you are never going to touch it, there are no frustrations.”

 

When asked what performing with her father means to her, Maisky replied: “It's similar blood flowing through our veins. The fact is we have a very similar feeling for music. Music between us is a natural communication. It is hard to explain in words. I have been inspired and influenced so much by my father. I didn't have that many teachers in my life and I really learn the most from playing with him. He taught me many principles and laws of music, and the general approach to music making.”

Concert programme:
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN Seven Variations in E flat Major on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” WoO 46
Franz SCHUBERT Arpeggione Sonata in A minor D. 821
Piotr TCHAIKOVSKY Autumn Song (“October” from “The Seasons”) op. 37b
Piotr TCHAIKOVSKY Valse sentimentale op. 51 no. 6
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor op. 40

 

 

 

Tenor voices possess a particular seduction - their timbre and power offers an individuality which is always remembered by the audience. Joseph Calleja, one of the most famous modern tenors, possesses a voice timbre that is honeyed and warm with masculine charm.

 

The tenor’s 2013 solo album Amore featured a Latvian musician, the accordionist Ksenija Sidorova. In 2012, Gramophone magazine named him Artist of the Year, and in 2016 he received an Opera News award. Calleja’s recordings (released by Decca Classics) have been nominated for multiple Grammys. In his solo concert at the Dzintari Concert Hall, Calleja will sing the most well-known songs and opera arias for tenor from a variety of eras; the tenor will be joined on stage by pianist Vincenzo Scalera.

 

Concert programme:
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön”  from “Die Zauberflöte”
Gaetano DONIZZETI “Tombe degli avi miei” from “Lucia di Lammermoor”
Jules MASSENET “Pourquoi me réveiller” from “Werther”
Giuseppe VERDI “La vita è inferno all’infelice…O tu che in seno agli angeli ” from “La forza del destino”
Giacomo PUCCINI “E lucevan le stelle” from “Tosca”
Piotr TCHAIKOVSKY “None but the lonely heart/Нет, только тот, кто знал”  op. 6 No. 6
Paolo TOSTI “Ideale ‘A vucchella”
Joseph VELLA “Il-Kebbies Tal-Fanali”
Alberto DONAUDY “Vaghissima sembianza”
Ruggero LEONCAVALLO “Mattinata”

 

 

 

German Baritone Benjamin Appl has been called the best Lieder singer among the young generation of artists (Gramophone Magazine). He had the good fortune to study with the greatest 20th century master of this genre, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; Appl was his last student. Appl is “a compelling storyteller, alive to the smallest flickers of humor or pathos in a text” (The Spectator). “The voice has a burnished, oaky beauty as well as considerable sweetness, while the interpretations are suffused with a gentle intelligence, an instinct for unforced but direct communication and what feels like a real love for the repertoire.” (Gramophone).

 

Appl, along with pianist Simon Lepper, will present Heimat (Homeland), a programme whose motifs come from the vocal chamber music of composers from various eras writing about their homeland, leaving to join the wide world, and the ensuing longing for their roots. About the circle of life which none of us can escape.

 

Concert programme:
Franz SCHUBERT Seligkeit (Hölty) D 433
Max REGER Des Kindes Gebet (Rafael) op 76 no 22
Franz SCHUBERT Freude der Kinderjahre (Leitner) D 455
Johannes BRAHMS Wiegenlied (Volkslied) op 49 no 4
Franz SCHUBERT Der Einsame (Lappe) D800
Johannes BRAHMS Mondnacht (Eichendorff) op 3 no 5
Franz SCHREKER Waldeinsamkeit (Arnold)
Johannes BRAHMSMein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund (Volkslied)
Richard STRAUSS Allerseelen (Gilm) op 10 no 8
Franz SCHUBERT Nachtstück (Mayrhofer) D672
Franz SCHUBERT Drang in die Ferne (Leitner) D 770
Franz SCHUBERT Der Wanderer an den Mond (Seidl) D870
Adolf STRAUSS Ich weiß bestimmt, ich wird’ dich wiedersehen (Hift)
Franz SCHUBERT Das Heimweh (Hell) D 456
Franz SCHUBERT Der Wanderer (Schmidt) D489
Francis POULENC Hyde Park (Apollinaire) FP 127 no 2
Banjamin BRITTEN Greensleeves (folk song)
Ralph VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Silent Noon (Rosetti)
Henry Rowley BISHOP Home, sweet home (Payne)
Peter WARLOCK My own country (Belloc)
Peter WARLOCK The Bachelor (Anonymous)
John IRELAND If there were dreams to sell (Beddoes)
Edvard GRIEG Sechs deutsche Lieder op 48