Russian Icons 2015

Russian Icons - Masterworks from the great Russian composers

22 August – 20 September 2015

Immerse yourself in a glorious programme featuring the greats of the Russian canon. From the lush Romantic repertoire we’ll bring you Borodin’s Quartetno 2, a declaration of love to his wife, and Tchaikovsky’s Quartet no 1, said to have moved the great Tolstoy to tears. Shorter pieces by Rachmaninov and Stravinsky will add colour to the mix while quartets by Shostakovich will reflect the harsh influence of the Soviet regime. Although Nikolai Kapustin is virtually unknown in this part of the world, we’re sure you’ll enjoy his jazz-influenced style of post-Cold War composition.

Whether you’re a confirmed ‘Russophile’, a chamber music devotee or a complete newcomer to our concerts, we know you’ll love our Russian Icons series.  We like our concerts to be two-way experiences so this year we’re inviting audience members in selected centres to spin the wheel to choose a movement to be played in the second half of the concert. Kind of ‘Russian roulette’, except everyone wins!

Read more “Top class” response to Russian Icons concerts.

TOUR DATES AND VENUES

PROGRAMMES

Rachmaninov: Two Movements for String Quartet                                               

Shostakovich: String Quartet no. 3 in F, op 73                                        

INTERVAL                                                                                                                                                              

Tchaikovsky: String Quartet no. 1 in D, op 11

Kapustin: "Fuga" from Quartet no. 1                                                                               

Stravinsky: Three Pieces                                                                                                                           

Shostakovich: String Quartet no.4 in D                                                       

INTERVAL                                                                                                                                                              

Borodin: String Quartet no 2

Rachmaninov: Two Movements for String Quartet                                               

Tchaikovsky: String Quartet no. 1 in D, op 11                                          

INTERVAL                                                                                                                                                              

‘Russian Roulette’ – selected movements by Borodin, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Kapustin

Rachmaninov: Two Movements for String Quartet                                               

Borodin: String Quartet no 2                                                                                                

INTERVAL                                                                                                                                                              

‘Russian Roulette’ – selected movements by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Kapustin

Lilburn: ‘Phantasy’ Quartet

Rachmaninov: Romance for String Quartet

Shostakovich: String Quartet no 3 in F

Tchaikovsky: Quartet no 1 in D