"Rachmaninov, Memories of Russia" "Ivanovka... I spent a total of 28 years there, until I left Russia. I took over the estate in 1910. It was 500 km south-east of Moscow, which is an overnight train journey. I always went there when I needed a rest, complete peace and quiet or, on the contrary, when I had a job that required a great deal of concentration. The peace and quiet helped me a lot. I still miss Ivanovka.
The show "Rachmaninov, Memories of Russia" takes the audience on a journey through the history of the composer Sergei Rachmaninov, his thoughts on music and art in general, his vision of his homeland and the "Slavic soul"... The audience will hear emblematic works by the Russian composer, who was condemned to exile in 1917, becoming a foreigner for life.
Works performed (transcribed for the Daphnis ensemble) :
- Concerto no. 2 op. 18 (excerpt)
- Les cloches op. 35 (excerpt)
- Suite for 2 pianos no. 1 op. 5 (Barcarolle and Easter)
- Suite for 2 pianos no. 2 op. 17
Sources: - Quotations from the composer are taken from : "Rachmaninov par lui-même, Réflexions et souvenirs d'un maître du piano" published by Buchet Chastel - "Sergeï Rachmaninov, Portrait d'un pianiste" by André Lischke - "5 méditations sur la beauté" by François Cheng
Texts collected and/or written by Adrien GEY (pianist with Ensemble Daphnis)