Bashmet: “The viola in my life”
Published: 30 September, 2009, 17:05
One of Russia’s most celebrated violists and conductors, Yury Bashmet, will play two music pieces dedicated to him that have never been performed in the Russian capital before.
One of the highlights will be Bashmet’s performance of “The Myrrh-Bearer” by British composer John Tavener, the direct descendant of 16th century organist John Taverner, said to be the key composer of his time.
A prolific composer knighted for his services to music, back in 1977 Tavener joined the Russian Orthodox Church. Since then, the Orthodox theme has had a major impact on his music. According to the British press, however, this didn’t prevent the devoted composer from showing interest in other religions, such as Hinduism and Islam.
The world premiere of his “The Myrrh-Bearer” took place in 1994 when Yury Bashmet performed it with the London Symphony Orchestra.
At the Moscow Conservatory concert on September 30, the Russian violist will also perform “The viola in my life”, penned by one of the 20th century’s leading American composers, Morton Feldman.
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