Duo
Igor Ruhadze and Evelina Vorontsova have known each other for many years! For a good duet, not only the excellent performance of each performer is important, but also the talent to hear and listen to each other, to live music as one soul. Both artists graduated from Central Music School in Moscow, and later on graduated with honors from the Moscow State Conservatory. A busy solo career and prizes at international competitions did not interrupt the joint music-making. Despite Igor Ruhadze's interest also in historical performance, the Duo has been successfully performing in Holland and outside the country for many years, referring mainly to the repertoire of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century!
Programma:
1."Harmonic Evolution: From Brahms to Strauss"
Embark on a captivating journey through time as we delve into the musical brilliance of composers spanning from Johannes Brahms to Richard Strauss. In this exploration, we'll be enchanted by the emotive melodies of Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Sonata in F Minor, Op. 4, the introspective passion of Robert Schumann's Violin Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105, the mature introspection of Johannes Brahms' Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108, and the innovative orchestration of Richard Strauss' Violin Sonata, Op. 18.
Mendelssohn's youthful genius sets the stage, followed by Schumann's emotional depth, Brahms' structural rigor, and finally, Strauss' rich harmonic language. Join us in celebrating the harmonic evolution from Brahms to Strauss, where each note resonates with the enduring legacy of classical music.
2."Music of World War I era"
Transport yourself to the World War I era through the enchanting melodies of Karol Szymanowski's 'Sonata for Violin and Piano' and Ottorino Respighi's evocative compositions. Szymanowski's work, rooted in Polish folk traditions, weaves a tapestry of emotions, while Respighi captures the echoes of war and societal changes. Immerse yourself in the sublime beauty of these violin sonatas, experiencing a unique blend of history and human emotion. Don't miss the chance to be captivated by the poignant narratives of Szymanowski and Respighi in this musical journey through a pivotal period in history."
3."Parisian Elegance: Musical Gems from the Turn of the Century"
Immerse yourself in the enchanting allure of "Parisian Elegance," a captivating musical journey through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Revel in the sublime melodies of César Franck's violin sonata, be mesmerized by Claude Debussy's impressionistic masterpieces, and feel the rhythmic pulse of Manuel de Falla's "Suite Populaire Espagnole." Experience the visionary compositions of Olivier Messiaen and the mythical charm of Karol Szymanowski's 'Trois Poèmes.' Join us for a night of timeless beauty and historical resonance – where each note tells a story of the elegance and grandeur that defined Paris at the turn of the century. Don't miss this chance to be transported to an era of artistic brilliance and cultural splendor. "Parisian Elegance" awaits your presence!
EVELINA VORONTSOVA
“A pianist for Rachmaninov.” Evelina Vorontsova is considered as one of the finest interpreters of Russian composers by music critics and piano lovers alike. Her cantabile legato and intense virtuoso style bear witness to a highly romantic approach to music. Two well received albums with works of Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach and Scarlatti place Vorontsova in a distinguished tradition of Russian pianists. The critically acclaimed album Rachmaninoff (2016) received 5 out of 5 stars in International Piano and has been compared to recordings of Berman and Kocsis. Yehudi Menuhin was so much impressed by her talent that he invited her to play at his festival in Moscow.
Vorontsova performed solo recitals worldwide including performances at the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Teatro Comunale Bologna and Suginami Koukaidou. As a soloist, Vorontsova performed with international orchestras conducted by Yehudi Menuhin, Lev Markiz, Jan Stulen, Stewart Robertson and Alexander Wakulsky. Vorontsova loves the energy of chamber music and performed with hundreds of musicians and ensembles, among whom Herman Krebbers, Sidney Harth, Marina Shaguch, Valentin Zhuk, Vera Beths, Natasha Korsakova, Leonid Kerbel, and Sergei Ostrovsky. A highly versatile pianist Vorontsova also plays jazz and promotes jazzy classical composers such as Nikolai Kapustin.
Evelina Vorontsova comes from a family of pianists. At the age of eleven, she played her first concerto on TV with an orchestra straight from the Great Hall of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. Vorontsova graduated cum laude at the Central Music School for Talented Children, the Tchaikovsky Conservatory (gold medal), and the Conservatory of Amsterdam. She is a prize winner of various competitions including the International Franz Liszt Competition in Utrecht, the (all-Russian) Rachmaninov Competition in Moscow, and the Cantù International Piano & Orchestra Competition. Since 2022 Evelina Vorontsova is teaching at the Utrecht Conservatory.
IGOR RUHADZE
Igor Ruhadze began his career as a solo violinist at the age of 12, performing Vieuxtemps Concerto No.5 with the Odessa Symphony Orchestra. Igor has won prizes in several international violin competitions, notably receiving 1st prize in the Taneyev Internațional chamber-music competition (Kaluga-Moscow 1996) and the top prize in the International Locatelli competition (Amsterdam 1997).
As a soloist, he successfully combines historical performance with a wide range of contemporary repertoire. He graduated from Central Music School in Moscow, and later on graduated with honours from the Moscow State Conservatory. In 2002, Igor graduated with honours from the Amsterdam Conservatory as a specialist in early music.
Igor Ruhadze performs in many European countries, and tours around the world as a soloist performing violin repertoire from the Renaissance to modern music. He regularly appears at festivals giving solo recitals, such as a Tartini program for unaccompanied violin (Flanders Festival), and the "Russian Tartini - Handochkine" (New York).
Igor leads different orchestras both as a soloist and as a concertmaster in programs from Bach to Faure and Tchaikovsky. Igor also recorded a Dutch version of the Matthew Passion by J.S. Bach (CD and DVD). He also took part in the Dutch film "Erbarme Dich" directed by Ramon Geeling.
Igor performs chamber music with many different groups, leading his own group "Ensemble Violini Capricciosi".
Igor Ruhadze has recorded a vast number of CDs and DVDs with various labels. His regular collaboration with Brilliant Classics has yielded several successful projects, particularly the unique Complete Locatelli Edition on 21 CDs which received many excellent reviews. His latest Biber Complete Violin Sonatas also won critical acclaim. In January 2020, the Complete Violin Concertos by J.M.Leclair was successfully released. In his latest Brilliant Classics album (2022), Igor and harpsichordist Alexandra Nepomnyashchaya turned to another pivotal figure in Baroque violin culture, Francesco Geminiani. This has already received warm praise.
Igor Ruhadze plays on a violin by Jacobs, Amsterdam 1693, courtesy of the Nationaal Muziekinstrumenten Fonds.
COMING CONCERTS
29 JULY 2024 20:00
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
LINK:
Sa., 21. Okt. 2023 19:30 Buchholz in der Nordheide
Zeit & Ort
Buchholz in der Nordheide, Schaftrift 1, 21244 Buchholz in der Nordheide, Deutschland
Mit Werken von César Franck, Claude Debussy, Sergej Prokofjew, Manuel de Falla, Karol Szymanowski, Olivier Messiaen.