From medieval religious songs to contemporary classical works, the Eastman Community Music School will celebrate an “Extravaganza of Russian Music” on Thursday, Jan. 7. The concert, being held on the day that Russians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar, is presented in partnership with Linkages of Rochester, Inc.
The fourth annual Russian-American Friendship concert features student and faculty musicians from the Eastman Community Music School and members of Musica Spei, a Rochester-based a cappella group that specializes in sacred music. The ensemble’s men will sing Russian religious choral works ranging from medieval times to the 19th century.
The music of Sergei Rachmaninoff, who was born in the vicinity of Novgorod, will be represented in piano and vocal music. The program also features the chamber music of 19th-century classical composer Anton Arensky; works by 20th-century composers Oskar Böhme, who was born in Germany but taught and worked in Russia for more than 35 years, and Karelian composer, conductor, and flutist Helmer Rayner Sinisalo; a wind quintet by 27-year-old conductor Andrey Rubstov, founder of the Russian National Orchestra Wind Quintet; and piano music by contemporary composer and arranger Nikolai Kapustin.
“Extravaganza of Russian Music: A Russian-American Friendship Concert” starts at 7:30 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall and is free and open to the public, as is a reception on the School’s Cominsky Promenade that immediately follows the concert.
Linkages of Rochester, Inc., is a volunteer organization that promotes professional, educational, and cultural exchanges with Rochester’s Sister City in Russia, Velikiy Novgorod.
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Thursday, January 7
Extravaganza of Russian Music: A Russian-American Friendship Concert. Musicians from Eastman Community Music School and members of Musica Spei a cappella vocal ensemble perform music ranging from sacred songs to contemporary Russian classical music. Reception follows.
7:30 p.m.
Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Free