Russian Rarities for Flute, Viola, and Piano

, Jessica, Ljova and I are thrilled to invite you to join us for a very special evening of RUSSIAN RARITIES FOR FLUTE, VIOLA, AND PIANO - featuring some of the most enchanting and unjustly seldom-heard masterworks by Rubinstein, Shostakovich, Weinberg, Schnittke, Nikolaeva, and Zhurbin. Our all-Russian program will open with Alfred Schnittke's Neo-Baroque Suite in the Old Style for flute and piano (1972), comprised of the sunny Pastorale, exuberant Ballet, slow and wistful Menuet, which Schnittke later re-conceived for cello and piano as Musica nostalgica (1992), a resolute, Bach-inspired Fugue, and a charmingly humorous Pantomime. Mieczyslaw Weinberg (1919-1996) was a prolific 20th-century composer of the Polish-Jewish origin who survived both Soviet and Nazi persectuion and whose musical catalogue includes 26 symphonies, 17 string quartets, 7 operas, and numerous concertos, sonatas songs, and film scores. Weinberg's three-movement Trio for flute, viola and harp (piano), op. 127 (1979), is one of his most elusive compositions, notable for its colorful and rarely-encountered combination of instruments. Tatiana Nikolaeva (1924-1993) was a revered Russian Soviet female pianist, composer and teacher notable for her recordings of the keyboard works by J. S. Bach, including his Art of Fugue. Her little-known compositional output includes 2 Piano Concertos, a Violin Concerto, a Symphony, a String Quartet, Piano Quintet, and an imaginative Trio for flute, viola, and piano, op. 18 (1958), consisting of eight colorful movements: a dreamy Prelude, a scintillating Scherzo, a haunting Monologue (viola solo), a leisurely Aria, an impassioned Intermezzo, a beautifully melancholy Pastorale, an evocative Fantastical March, and a rapturous Finale. A lifelong friend of both Weinberg and Nikolaeva, Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) was one of the leading Russian composers of the 20th century. His charming Waltz No. 3 in G Major for flute, viola, and piano (1955), originally scored for flute, clarinet and piano, is full of sparkle, wit and humor. A prominent Russian composer, Alexander Zhurbin (b. 1945) studied with Aram Khachaturian and had frequent consultations with Dmitri Shostakovich. He scored more than 50 feature movies and wrote numerous symphonic and chamber music works, which include an alluring pair of dances, Valse and Tango, arr. for viola and piano. Anton Rubinstein (1829-1894) was a Russian virtuoso pianist, composer, conductor, and founder of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. His dark and dramatic Viola Sonata in F minor (1855) is one of the most substantial and formidable works ever composed for viola and piano, full of soaring lyricism, dramatic flair, and dazzling virtuosity for both players alike. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind showcase of the Russian Rarities for Flute, Viola, and Piano!!!
 
Jessica, Ljova, and I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, June 5th!
With best wishes,

Dr. Yelena Grinberg, founder and artistic director of the Grinberg Classical Salon Series
 
WHEN: Wednesday, June 5th, 2019, at 7 p.m.
          Doors will open at 6:30 pm. There will be NO late seating.          Food-and-wine reception to follow the performance
WHERE: Private Residence on Upper West Side (upper 90s)
          You will be emailed the exact home address after you register through this website
ADMISSION: $35
          Admission price includes the wine-and-hors d'oeuvres reception with the guest Artists          Attendance is limited to just 21 seats!          Note: Advance ticket purchase through this site is required. 
CONTACT: Yelena Grinberg (ygpiano@gmail.com)
PROGRAM:
RUSSIAN RARITIES FOR FLUTE, VIOLA, AND PIANO
SCHNITTKE - Suite in the Old Style for flute and piano (1972)WEINBERG - Trio for flute, viola, and harp (piano), op. 127 (1979)NIKOLAEVA - Trio for flute, viola and piano, op. 18 (1958)SHOSTAKOVICH - Waltz No. 3 for flute, viola, and piano (1955)ZHURBIN - Valse and Tango, arr. for viola and piano RUBINSTEIN - Sonata in F minor for viola and piano (1855)
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