Britten Festival in Russia

[Guest]

A interesting report by Stephen Moss of a part-British Council/part Britten-Pears Foundation-funded festival of Britten's works, including his art collection, in Russia.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...eath-in-venice.

There is a fascinating section on why English music perhaps doesn't appeal to the Russian sensibility .. and then some clear evidence that when they get a chance to hear Death in Venice in concert under Rozhdestvensky with Bostridge, Iestyn Davies and Peter Coleman-Wright, they bring the house down.

[Flosshilde]

Yes, very interesting. I like the description at the end of Rozhdestvensky holding up the score - making it clear that the applause was for Britten and the music as much as for the performance.

[Mary Chambers]

Iestyn Davies, who sang Apollo, has written an account of his experiences for the Arts Desk - called Death in Moscow. If I knew how to post a link on this iPad I would, but it's easy to find.

[amateur51]

Iestyn Davies, who sang Apollo, has written an account of his experiences for the Arts Desk - called Death in Moscow. If I knew how to post a link on this iPad I would, but it's easy to find.

Many thanks Mary - here's the link ...

http://www.theartsdesk.com/classical-music/britten-100-death-moscow

[Mary Chambers]

Thank you!

I love the comment overheard in the interval - "This is even worse than Shostakovich." I imagine that was someone from the British Council.

[amateur51]

Thank you!

I love the comment overheard in the interval - "This is even worse than Shostakovich." I imagine that was someone from the British Council.

Yes indeed - and the photograph of Rozhdestvensky made me realise that he is one of the last links from that era in Anglo-Soviet music-making centred around Britten, Pears, Richter, Rostropovich, Vishnyevskaya, and Shostakovich of course etc. Some era!