May 9 2010: Concert in Celebration of Victory Day
RACH-C organized a concert of songs from the time of WWII and the distribution of the St. George Ribbons in Fort Tryon Park, NYC.
February 6, 2010: Adventures in Russian Music Plus
THE RACH-C "ADVENTURES IN RUSSIAN MUSIC PLUS" Concert will be held at International House, on the Columbia University Campus, 500 Riverside Drive, (at 122nd St).
The exciting program includes Arias and Art Songs of Legendary Composers Including:
VERDI… Duet from Rigoletto TCHAIKOVSKY…Aria from Eugene Onegin GRETCHANINOV… Prisoner BERNSTEIN… Candide
And Much More!
February 7, 2009: "Byzantine Chants, Sacred Concerto" Primier of Composer Margarita Zelenaia
Margarita Zelenaia, composer The music of Russian born composer Margarita Zelenaia received its Lincoln Center premiere in 1997 and its Carnegie Hall premiere in 2001. Among her the most recent world premieres (2008) was the string quartet, “August. Sunset Bloom,” on the New York Philharmonic Ensembles at Merkin Concert Hall series, that received both critical and audience acclaim. Without prejudices and stereotypes in her writing, Zelenaia possesses a rare ability to infuse her music with humor and lyrical tenderness, while also producing works of tremendous depth and seriousness.
Andrey Tchekmazov, cello The Grand Prize winner of Vittorio Gui International Chamber usic Competition and the Premio Trio di Trieste, Mr. Tchekmazov has performed extensively throughout North and South America, Europe, Russia and Asia, appearing with orchestras such as the Sao Paolo Symphony, Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Kiev Philharmonic and Teatro Alfa Symphony. He hailed by critics as an “extraordinary musician” (Washington Post). He has made recordings for the NAXOS label with the Russian National Philharmonic, as well as the Delos label.
Svetlana Gorokhovich, pianist has toured extensively in the United States, Japan, the Caribbean, Italy and Iceland and has recently appeared at Caramoor, Interharmony Music Festivals in Germany and Holland, the Summit Music Festival and Steinway Hall. At her Weill Hall Recital Hall debut, the “New York Concert Review” described her performing as an “…outstanding performance that perfectly balanced the lyrical and dynamic resources of the piano… Gorokhovich is a profound and almost self-effacing interpreter...”.
The performance, sponsored by RACH-C, The “Russian American Cultural Heritage Center,” was made possible by the generous support of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA), JP Morgan Chase Foundation, and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ).
МАРГАРИТА ЗЕЛЕНАЯ: «ВИЗАНТИЙСКИЕ ПЕСНОПЕНИЯ» ДУХОВНЫЙ КОНЦЕРТ в восьми частях для виолончели соло
Великая Литания. Речитатив
Монастырская служба/голос ветра
Покаянная молитва
Псалмодия
Херувимская песнь/Ангельское пение
Ариозо/Гармония души
Гармония сфер
Праздничный Роспев
Комментарии композитора:
“Музыкант, будь он композитор или исполнитель, должен быть “богословом...”
Н.В.Лосский
Обращаясь к жанру духовного концерта для сольного инструмента – виолончели, я исходила из того, что мелодия напева – есть вполне реальная информация, мелодическое слово, музыкальная ткань которого подобна живому организму. Тот факт, что «Концерт» состоит из 8 частей, связан с тем, что отличительной чертой византийского церковно-певческого искусства, перешедшего по наследству и в русскую музыкальную культуру, было наличие восьми напевов, каждый из которых обладал оригинальным музыкальным строем с устойчивым набором маленьких, в несколько звуков, мотивов, из соединения которых и образовывалась музыкальная ткань песнопения. Мне хотелось создать такую музыкальную палитру «Концерта», которая напоминала бы то, как древнерусский распевщик, аналогично иконописцу иконографических сюжетов, пользовался этим набором мелодий-попевок.
Великая Литания. Речитатив представляет собой хоровую речитацию. Начальное и конечное «Аминь» обрамляет этот номер.
Монастырская служба/голос ветра - в основе этой части лежит рассказ очевидца: «...Литургия в летнем соборе поразила меня необычайной величественностью монастырской службы, напевы держались древние, протяжные, напоминали голос ветра. Поначалу, пока прислушиваешься, слух, даже как будто оскорбляется непривычной суровой монотонностью гармонии, странностью ритма. Но затем так проникаешься этим истинно монашеским, бесстрастным пением, что услышанное соединяется в стройное гармоническое целое, сосредоточивая внимание на самом духе молитвы...»
Покаянная молитва - стилистически я использовала аналог сольного ариозо с хором: здесь есть истовость молитвы, покаянное состояние, в конце которого - катарсис.
Псалмодия - поскольку Псалмодия (греч. Psalmodía) - это своеобразный способ исполнения псалмов в виде спокойной мелодической декламации, в ней соседствуют аналог звучания голоса почти на одной ноте в среднем регистре (так распевалась большая часть богослужебно-поэтического текста) и хоровой ответ.
Херувимская песнь/Ангельское пение - как известно, в мелодиях знаменного роспева нет скачков, мелодия движется постепенно — словно парит, плавно поднимаясь и опускаясь, создавая лишенное внутреннего напряжения песнопение, вызывая настроение глубокого покоя, внутренней тишины. В этом напеве с помощью мелодии и ее флажолетного отражения в в двух регистрах виолончели: среднем и высоком, я хотела достигнуть той духовной высоты между звучанием виолончели (аналога человеческого голоса) и ангельского пения, которая обнаружит их духовное родство.
Ариозо/Гармония души - это поиск ответов на вопросы... Мне хотелось понять, что можно услышать в тишине молитвы, в тишине собственной души? Если музыка молитвы не рождается там, в этой самой тиши, то тогда где же? Мне хотелось прислушаться к этой внутренней музыке, заглянуть в себя...
Гармония сфер - выбор веры пришел в Россию именно из Византии. Он был определен эстетическими впечатлениями послов, отправленных Владимиром I Святославичем для испытания различных вер. Вернувшись из Константинополя, они сказали: «И пришли мы в Греческую землю, и ввели нас туда, где служат они Б-гу своему, и не знали – на небе или на земле мы: ибо нет на земле такого зрелища и красоты такой и не знаем, как и рассказать об этом. Не можем мы забыть красоты той, ибо каждый человек, если вкусит сладкого, не возьмет потом горького; так и мы не можем уже здесь пребывать в язычестве».
Праздничный Роспев пронизан колокольным звучанием. «Звон больших колоколов» и «перезвон малых колоколов» передают праздничность и торжественность момента.
August 23, 2009: Summer Concert Featuring the celebrated Soprano Rosa D'Imperio & Friends
Summer Concert Featuring the celebrated Soprano Rosa D'Imperio & Friends
Rosa D'Imperio has sung the leading roles in Aida, Attila, Nabucco, Otello, Il Trovatore, La Forza del Destino, Oberto, Messa di Requiem, Tosca, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, La Fanciulla del West, Il Tabarro, Andrea Chenier and Cavalleria Rusticana. She has received international recognition for her big, beautiful voice and for her exciting and masterful interpretations and has been extolled for her ''beautifully dark and sensual voice,'' ''tall, handsome and dramatic presence,'' ''technical mastery,'' ''beautiful and imposing voice,'' ''great expressive power,'' and a myriad of other glowing descriptions by both the national and international press.
Other roles in her repertoire include Amelia in Un Ballo in Maschera, Elisabetta and Eboli in Don Carlos, Norma, Adalgisa, Lady Macbeth, Adriana Lecouvreur, Gioconda, Carmen, Giulietta (Tales of Hoffmann), the title roles in Strauss' Die Aegyptische Helena and Ariadne auf Naxos, Dolores in the Zarzuela La Dolorosa.
Companies with which Ms D'Imperio has sung include: Opera Cleveland, Palm Beach Opera, Sarasota Opera, Teatro Grattacielo, Treasure Coast Opera, Opera of New Rochelle, Culturarte de Puerto Rico, Opera de Puerto Rico, Teatro de la Opera, Gateway Classical Music Society, New York Grand Opera, Opera of the Hamptons, Puerto Rican Zarzuela & Operetta Foundation in the United States and Teatro Lirico di Cagliari and Companions Opera in Switzerland and Germany.
As a concert soloist, Ms. D'Imperio has appeared at the Theater An Der Wien, on the George Jellinek Show, at the Kosciusko Foundation, Weill Recital Hall, and with the symphony orchestras of Krakow, Prague, Sofia, Shanghai (Beethoven's Ninth Symphony), Fuxjo, Danbury, andPuerto Rico (Bach's Magnificat).
“OSA” Our Savior’s Atonement Church
178 Bennett Ave. (at West 189th St.)
Sunday August 23, 2009 5PM
Accompanied by Inna Leytush, Music Director of RACH-C
AUGUST 10, 2008 SUMMER CONCERT at “OSA” Our Savior’s Atonement Church
Arias from opera favorites & romantic art songs of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, and others. Featured artists: Viktoria Kurbatskaya- soprano; Rouben Aivazawsky- pianist; Inna Leytush, music director.
Performances By;
MAGDALENA LLAMAS- MEZZO-SOPRANO (M.M. Granada Conservatory) is a Mezzo soprano from Andalusia, Spain. She performs opera and concerts around US and Europe (Carnegie Hall, Cami Hall, Guggenheim museum, Accademia di Spagna in Roma, Auditorio Nacional, Madrid, Oratorio Gonfalone di Roma…) She teaches voice technique and confidence on stage. She studied at The Juilliard School of Music, Westminster Choir College, Portland Performing Institute, Real Conservatorio superior de Canto, Madrid, and the Real Conservatorio Superior of Granada, Spain. She was awarded the Portland opera Performing Institute Fellowship, The Elsie Hilliard Hillman Fellowship, and Manuel de Falla Festival fellowship. She taught at Jeunesses Musicales International, Spain, San Sebastian Conservatory, Musical director ¨Choir and Orchestra of Almería´Cathedral¨ Spain, and Accademia Internazionale di musica in Roma, Italy.
STEPHANIE MCGUIRE- MEZZO-SOPRANO recently enjoyed her debut at New York City Opera, in productions of Margaret Garner and Cavalleria rusticana during the fall 2007 season. In May 2008, she was invited back to NYCO, to sing the role of Solo Woman in Scott D. Richards' jazz opera Charlie crosses the nation, as part of VOX, NYCO's new composers' showcase. With the Martina Arroyo Foundation, Stephanie has performed the roles of Dame Quickly (Falstaff), Berta (Il barbiere di Siviglia), and Flora (La traviata), and she has covered Suzuki (Madama Butterfly). Stephanie debuted with the Boston Classical Orchestra in March 2004 as Donna Eleonora in Salieri’s First the Music then the Words. She has appeared with many orchestras and ensembles, including the Key West Symphony Orchestra, New York Metro Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Harvard Baroque Ensemble, and the Boston Choral Ensemble.
IRENE SILVERMAN- MEZZO-SOPRANO as acclaimed by “The New York Times as “...formidable. She has a voice with considerable boom and sounds like a candidate for some big roles that often go begging.” At the Des Moines Metro Opera, she undertook the role of Azucena in Verdi’s Il Trovatore, earning praise from The Des Moines Register: “Irene Silverman, as the gypsy Azucena, is simply tremendous. The richness and power of her voice are truly remarkable and her portrayal is a performance not to be missed. She has the potential for true greatness.” She is an experienced stage actress and performed leading roles in Shakespeare, Chekov, Congreve and Coward.
Anpilov and Kochetkov who were members of the Pervyi Krug (First Circle), an artistic bard group from Moscow, joined by Marina Berestova performed contemporary bard songs in Russian, English and Spanish.
The RACH-C SUMMER CONCERT was held at Our Savior's Atonement Church. To the right is the program enjoyed by those who attended the very exciting performance. A high point of the event was the reception held 2 blocks away at "Doňa Carmen's Bakery Cafe" where the Russian and American singers and concert guests shared tables, compliments and songs, over wine and "pastelillos;" a fine combination of Russian and Latino cultural tastes.
The RACH-C FALL CONCERT" brought "old" guests, familiar with our concerts, and new ones to Our Savior's Atonement Church. All were enraptured by the splendid voices of Baritone Kreshnik Zhabjaku, and Soprano Anya Fidelia. The highpoint of the evening was their performance of original compositions by composer Margarita Zelenaia who also performed some of her creations on piano.
Olga Zatsepina, President of RACH-C thanks and commends the performers flanking Music Director Inna Leytush
Recital of Russian Music at Sterling Glen of Rye Brook independent living community. Dr. Gennady Kupisok entertained the residents with virtuoso performances on saxaphone, piano, and "jalaika." He quickly had listeners singing and accompanying him with percussion instruments.
A ‘SOUNDS OF SPRING CONCERT" featuring classical music Arias, Duets, and Art songs was presented by RACH-C at Our Savior's Atonement at 178 Bennnet Ave. to a full house of enthusiastic listeners. The program, directed by RACH-C Music Director Inna Leytush, included outstanding performances by Liora Michelle, Soprano; Efren Puig, Tenor; Daniel Lay, Viola; Karen Foster, Soprano; and Sergey Krivonos, Piano. Daniel J. Rothstein, fulfilled the duties of Master of Ceremonies in English and Russian admirably.
October 8, 2006: ‘CONCERT OF TANEEV & SHOSTAKOVICH MUSIC"
Celebrating the 150th birthday of the renowned pianist/composer Sergey Taneev, and the world loved orchestral / choral composer Dmitri Shostakovich. The audience delivered a great ovation to Ruth Ann Cunningham and Irina Rindzuner, sopranos and Micheal Barakat, baritone. Maryna Rogozhyna delighted them with her piano performance and Mikhail Zeiger's piano preludes of Shostakovich transfixed and transported his listeners to another time and place. A powerful exhibit of rare photos of Shostakovich by RIA Novosti (Russian News and Information Agency) were provided by RIA Novosti for the pleasure of participants.
LEFT Professor Vladimer Zak, musicologist who knew Shostakovich and his family and authored a book about Shostakovich, is introduced by RACH-C President Dr. Olga Zatsepina.
December 10, 2006: Gala WInter Concert in Collaboration with Community Board 12 Manhattan
This performance held at the Auditorium of the N.Y.S. Psychiatric Center on Haven Ave, Featured music by Verdi, Dargomyzhsky, Tchaikovsky and a piece composed and played by violinist Andrii Didorenko accompanied by Yuliya Basis on piano. Soprano Edit Taube provoked nostalgia with several Russian romances. Maria Pavlova, soprano & Efren Puig, tenor delighted the audience with a duet from Verdi. William Himmelbauer, lent his elegant bass voice to Russian folk songs and teenager Anastasia Danilova at piano, complimented her older colleagues with poise and distinction, all under the direction of music director and accompanist Inna Leytush.
ABOVE LEFT Yuri Sandulov, Vice Pres. of RACH-C, with Inna Leytush, Community Board 12 Chairperson Martin Collins, and MC Tatiana Eidinova enjoy the after concert reception at CB 12 headquarters.
December 18, 2005: Vocal and instrumental Community Concert
featuring classical vocal and instrumental musical selections by Russian performers and/or composers consistent with the RACH-C’s concept of inclusiveness and performed by a diverse group of artists. (See Below)
RACH-C Director Olga Zatsepina and CB 12 Chair Martin Collins opening the evenings events.
Packed hall of community residents eagerly awaiting start of RACH-C concert.
Bass Michel Beresovski, soprano Ruth Ann Cunningham, mezzo soprano Irina Rindzuner, and soprano Solvita Moss enjoying a wave of applause for a wonderful performance.
(L-R) Olga Torrey, RACH-C Community Liaison, Zead Ramadan, Chr. Cultural Affairs Comm. of CB 12, Sarah Morgridge, Senior Staff of Councilman Robert Jackson, Svetlana Mittleman, Dir. of Salons - RACH-C, Martin Collins, Chair, Community board 12 Manhattan.
Featuring works of Tchaikovsky, Glinka, Verdi and others. Music Director: Inna Leytush. This performance of ten classical singers was an enormous hit. It was held at Advent Lutheran Church, 2504 Broadway @93rd St., New York, NY.
RACH-C supported a concert of a St. Petersburg ensemble “Lira” (Concert of Sacred, Classical and Folk Russian Music), at Our Savior’s Atonement Lutheran Church,
RACH-C sponsored and organized a concert at the Estonian Educational Society for soprano, Heather Green, singing Russian music accompanied by a Russian pianist; Inna Leytush.
Rosa D'Imperio has sung the leading roles in Aida, Attila, Nabucco, Otello, Il Trovatore, La Forza del Destino, Oberto, Messa di Requiem, Tosca, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, La Fanciulla del West, Il Tabarro, Andrea Chenier and Cavalleria Rusticana. She has received international recognition for her big, beautiful voice and for her exciting and masterful interpretations and has been extolled for her ''beautifully dark and sensual voice,'' ''tall, handsome and dramatic presence,'' ''technical mastery,'' ''beautiful and imposing voice,'' ''great expressive power,'' and a myriad of other glowing descriptions by both the national and international press.
LEFT Professor Vladimer Zak, musicologist who knew Shostakovich and his family and authored a book about Shostakovich, is introduced by RACH-C President Dr. Olga Zatsepina.
