Russian Reflections focuses on his nation's musical traditions, passing through the golden era of the early 20th century before being plunged into the turbulent era of Communism and the rise of dissident artists.
He brings with him some of the gre
atest performers of his native composers, the opening programme played by one of the most famous names of our time, the American-based Fine Arts Quartet.
Rachmaninov's seldom- heard First String Quartet opens the concert, with Shostakovich's turbulent autobiographical Eighth as the central work. They end in sunnier climes when joined by Alexeev in Dvorak's Piano Quintet (October 14).
The series is extremely fortunate to have the great Russian cellist, Alexander Ivashkin, who is joined by the pianist widow of the composer, Alfred Schnittke, in her husband's Epilogue from the ballet, Peer Gynt.
Schnittke joined Shostakovich in rejecting
the political ideology surrounding him, his music a very personal idiom that is still coming into popular favour. The evening also contains Shostakovich's virtuoso Cello Sonata and a Bach unaccompanied Cello Sonata (December 9).
You can see two great pianists for the price of one when Alexeev is joined by the outstanding virtuoso, Nikolai Demidenko. Music by Medtner leads to two pieces by Shostakovich and the huge arrangement of Rachmaninov's orchestral work, Symphonic Dances (January 13).
A song recital from Jacques Imbrailo, with Alexeev accompanying, features Rachmaninov songs (November 18); the celebrated Moscow Trio play works by Glinka, Arensky and Mendelssohn (February 10), the series ending with a solo recital from Alexeev that is mainly devoted to Scriabin and Chopin.
There are just a very few tickets left for the season.
Leeds International Chamber Music Season, The Venue,
0113 224 3801.
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