An Early Musical Spring

Charismatic Russian Maestro Vasily Petrenko and the London Philharmonic Orchestra are heralding in the Spring with a richly romantic programme at the Dome Concert Hall.

It starts with Mediterranean adventure in Berlioz’s sizzling ‘Overture, Le Corsaire’. Then follows Rachmaninoff’s ever popular ‘Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini’ which features fellow international Russian, the brilliant Kirill Gerstein (piano).

The concert concludes with Brahms optimistic 2nd Symphony. Its reassuring pastoral themes should remind us that Spring is really on its way.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to hear live this world class conductor’s interpretations of these great romantic works.

Vasily Petrenko is already fêted in Sussex for his highly acclaimed performances of Verdi’s ‘Macbeth’ at Glyndebourne in 2010. However, he has only been to Brighton once before, as a Bank Holiday tourist. Now, after disappointment last year when a concert with his home orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, didn’t materialise, he is finally coming to the Dome Concert Hall with the LPO, who collaborated so well with him at the opera house. His holds them in great esteem: “The LPO is an amazing band, it’s always a pleasure to work with them; it has great spirit and character, and the most important willingness to go forward and achieve the best!”

Now settled near Liverpool, Vasily Petrenko is making headway as a leading champion of some of the greatest British music, with Britten, Elgar and Vaughan Williams at the top of his list. He also gave the premieres of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies’ 9th Symphony and Liverpudlian composer Emily Howard’s powerfully evocative ‘Magnetite’.

As Principal Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko is at the very root of British music and is an inspiring role model for our young conductors.

I asked him: How optimistic is their future and the British orchestral tradition in these financially strict days?
Petrenko:
This generation of young musicians in UK is very rich in talent – I can say that after working with NYO! But for a lot of them, playing their instruments (in many cases more than one instrument!) even at a very high level, they are only considering music as a hobby in a future, simply because it is very difficult to have enough funds for you and your family, being a musician. I’m always been trying to inspire them go further and BE professional musicians, and hope we can help to improve the situation!

How do you rate British music education and training?
Petrenko:
It certainly makes great orchestral musicians, but I’d like to see more British soloists at the very top level internationally, and think it is very important to compete at this top standard. For this the education must also have a strong commitment and support from the government and also from local areas…

You seem very settled in Britain. Is this now your home?
Petrenko:
Yes, I feel comfortable in UK, my family lives here. I am now spending most of my time between Britain and Oslo (where he is now chief Conductor).

Is your son musical? If so, will you encourage him to study in a British music college or go back to Russia?
Petrenko:
Sasha is musical (he has his genes!), but I’m not pushing him into the profession of classical music. I believe he needs to choose what he wants to do by himself.

Is the training there really so very much more strict?
Petrenko:
The training in Russia is more strict at an early age, most children take a lot of lessons starting age of 5-6, but I’d say it’s comparable to UK at the conservatoires. The difference is that, in Russia, the mentality is “you MUST be the best, number 1 in the future”, and in UK is more about combining music with the rest of life. I’m not sure which is better, actually…

Are you severe or do you represent a lighter/more liberal side of the Russian tradition?
Petrenko:
I am severe to myself and liberal to others. It took a few years for me to learn the difference between Eastern and Western in mentality.

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Kirill Gerstein (piano), Vasily Petrenko (conductor)
play Berlioz, Rachmaninoff and Brahms
Dome Concert Hall, 7.30 pm, 22 February 2014

Andrew Connal, 18/02/2014