National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theatre hosts concert to showcase talent of those holding scholarships from Special Presidential Fund for the Support of Talented Young PeopleA truly festive atmosphere ruled at the Bolshoi Theatre, its hall packed with lovers of classical music, dance and opera. Relatives and friends of Special Presidential Fund scholarship holders were in attendance, as was the Culture Minister, Pavel Latushko, and his senior colleagues. The Chair of the Fund, Nina Mazai, was present, alongside concert organisers: staff from Belarus’ Culture University.
Performing alongside prominent masters of Belarusian classical art, the young participants felt like acknowledged artistes. Each performance gives them the unique opportunity to show how they are advancing in their artistry.
During the first part of the concert, the audience enjoyed the classical music of Wagner, Bach, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky; the second half was devoted to singing and classical dancing, with each performer much applauded. Cellists Mikhail Radunsky and Vladislav Trukhan (of the Republican Gymnasium-College at the Academy of Music) were particularly moving, showing a talent not only for music but for feeling the emotional depth of their work. They needed no words — only the touch of their bow on strings — and exchanged meaningful looks throughout. Their brilliant artistic chemistry, so full of expression and emotion, captivated the audience.
Their rendering of Giovanni Sollima’s most famous piece, Violoncelles.Vibrez! — composed for two cellos with orchestra, was an inspired choice. Sollima was known for experimenting with various genres and has a large following worldwide. No doubt, they were guided by their teacher, the leader of the Republican Musical College’s concert orchestra, Honoured Artiste of Belarus Vladimir Perlin. Having heard the two young men previously, I can say that it must be impossible not to enjoy their artistry; their unique stage manner sticks in the memory, as if they come truly to life when performing. Meanwhile, they appear stylish and relaxed, in a modern way, as we might expect from today’s young people. Mikhail and Vladislav’s mastery and charm leaves us with the impression that they breathe in unison, following a common rhythm.
The pair were accompanied wonderfully by the Bolshoi Theatre’s Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vyacheslav Volich. The young musicians seemed to penetrate a fantasy world, their faces reflecting their feelings. I was charmed by their every movement and, after the performance, ‘bravo’ resounded from every corner of the hall.
Each performer leaving the stage accompanied by applause is naturally worthy of admiration: pianist Andrey Ivanov (of Moscow’s P. Tchaikovsky State Conservatory), violinist Pavel Batyan, flautist Yulia Shchasnovich, violist Nikolay Chernukha, and ballet dancers Yekaterina Oleinik, Konstantin Geronik, Alexandra Chizhik and Igor Anoshka. All have won numerous international contests, to our great pride.
By Mikhalina Cherkashina
