Georg Philip
Telemann (1681–1767) – German composer, master of the chapel, theorist and
musical-public figure. During 1701–1704 lived in Leipzig, where founded the Collegium
Musicum, wrote operas and worked as an organist. He also worked in Eisenach and Frankfurt,
and since 1721 lived in Hamburg, where was the director of the five main churches,
promoted the opening of the first special concert hall in Germany and founded the first
German musical magazine. The European glory of Telemann began after his trip to Paris
(1737), where his works became a large success, were performed and published. Telemann is
author of numerous operas, oratorios, concertos, chamber musical works, and theoretical
researches.
Georg Christoph
Wagenseil (1715–1777) – Austrian composer, organist and music teacher.
Imperial musician in Vienna, one of the predecessors of the Viennese classical school. He
made a contribution to the elaboration of the Sonata form. Among his compositions –
operas, oratorios, cantatas, mass, requiem, symphonies, concertos, and chamber music
works. In spring 1953 the Viennese City Library had the occasion to purchase the scores of
two unknown cello concertos by G.Ch. Wagenseil, which turned up at a Viennese auction. The
first performance of the A Major Concerto for cello and string orchestra (by Enrico
Mainardi, June 7, 1956) was organized by the Viennese Society of the Friends of Music
within the International Mozart Festival. Critics called it "a work of extraordinary
musical power and expressiveness", and "a masterpiece which will enrich very
limited cello repertoire". The work was written in 1752, ten years before the
well-known meeting between Wagenseil and the young Mozart at the court of Maria Theresia,
and is a very fine example for the efficiency of the Viennese pre-classical style.
Valery Tarakanov (born
1934) – Moscow composer. Among his compositions – the operas "Antony and
Cleopatra" after a tragedy by Shakespeare, and "Two" after a drama by
Gibson "Two for the Seesaw", large spiritual cycles "Vespers" and
"St. John Chrysostom's Liturgy" based on the texts of the Russian orthodox Mass,
"Songs of an Ascension" on the texts of the Bible Psalms, Baroque-concerto for
violin and orchestra, concerto for violoncello and string orchestra, numerous chamber
music, vocal and choral works. Well-known musicians perform music by Valery Tarakanov on
concert stages and in the radio musical programs.
Concert for violoncello and string orchestra was written in 1999 and dedicated to the
People's Artist of Russia Mikhail Utkin, who has performed it for the first time in Moscow
with chamber orchestra "The Seasons" under Bulakhov (May 10, 2000). The musical
content of this three-partial work is connected to a certain programmatic idea. So, in
middle of the second movement sounds, at first in an orchestra and then in the soloist's
part, a Christian prayer "Pater Noster". In a violoncello part, the lyrical
themes are combined with original virtuosity, especially shown in a large Cadenza and in
the dynamical prompt Finale movement.
Mikhail Utkin
(Violoncello). 1952 – was born in Vilnius (Lithuania). 1959 – first music lessons at
the Central Music School, Moscow. 1967 – First Prize, International Youth Competition of
the Prague Radio. 1970 – student of the Moscow State Conservatory, cello class of
Mstislav Rostropovich. 1972 – Second Prize at the International String Quartet
Competition, Liege, Belgium. Solo concertizing in major cities of Russia and abroad. 1974
– admitted as soloist of Moscow Concerting Organization. 1975 – graduates from the
Moscow State Conservatory (Degree–Diploma with Honors) and admitted in the post-graduate
course, cello class of Kalianov. 1978 – solo concertizing in Germany. Concerto No. 2 by
Shostakovich with Gewandhaus-Orchestra under Kurt Masur. 1986 – honorable title
"Honored Artist of the Russia". 1990 – admitted as soloist of the Moscow State
Philharmony. 1994 – honorable title "People's Artist of the Russia". 1996 –
Award of the Moscow Government.
The Seasons
Chamber Orchestra (Moscow) is one of the brightest orchestras among those which
have appeared in Moscow recently. It was organized by the young and talented musician
Vladislav Bulakhov in March 1994. Today 20 musicians having high musical education
represent "The Seasons" Orchestra. Their average age is about thirty. Since 1999
"The Seasons" Orchestra has had the status of a state orchestra. Since 1998 the
firm "Gorodissky & Partners", law, patent and trademark attorneys, has
sponsored the orchestra. The repertoire of this musical group is very rich ranging from
Baroque masters up to modern composers. The Orchestra has participated in the following
festivals: "Russian Winter", "Russia's Talents", First International
Festival of Classical Guitar, and others. The Orchestra has performed concert tours to
Germany, Taiwan, China, Scotland, Italy. In 2002 the orchestra organized the International
Music Festival called "The Seasons", that will be held in Moscow and
St.Petersburg every year. "The seasons of the year are a very complex notion both for
human life and music, – Mr. Bulakhov supposes. – On the one hand, the implication of
this word involves varied impressions, themes and images, on the other hand, the
universality of their realization, never ceasing innovation in eternity, stability of
vital circles, dynamism of present-day life philosophy and the granites of musical
classical traditions. To find harmony in uniting these contradicting natures is our
creative Credo."
Vladislav Bulakhov graduated from the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music as a violinist in
1984. In 1983, he joined the re-established New Moscow Chamber Orchestra headed by Igor
Zhukov. Bulakhov's ten years of experience in this orchestra, added to the intensive study
with his father, a professional conductor, formed the foundation for the creation of the
“Seasons” Orchestra. Mr. Bulakhov's artistic manner is characterized by convincing,
precise and rhythmically clear gestures, a natural temperament and the ability to bring
out each individual voice in the musical score. His intimate knowledge of stringed
instruments enables him to achieve an extraordinary variety of orchestral tone colors with
expressive articulation and a seemingly endless range of dynamic gradations. The
conductor's careful consideration of the composer's score and his attention to details are
displayed in unity with the confident perception of the architectonics of the musical
whole. Vladislav Bulakhov, conductor of the Seasons Orchestra, is capable of interpreting
works of various musical eras and styles with equal skill. He possesses the ability to
learn new compositions quickly and proficiently, has a talent for management and the
capacity to work hard, all of which promise an interesting and creative future for this
musician.
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