Michael Foyle in Russia

April 1, 2015

In February, Michael Foyle (one half of the Foyle-Stsura Duo) visited Russia to perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto under conductor Vasily Valitov. He returns in April and tells us below:

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“It has been immensely rewarding to visit Russia for the first time, for two performances of the Brahms Violin Concerto. Both events have been in collaboration with conductor Vasily Valitov and the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Russia, the first in February, at the International House of Music, and the second in April, in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The inspiring challenge has been the engagement with such a different culture: in the first instance, Brahms’ writing allows us to rehearse and perform as if playing chamber music, immediately equalising the members of the orchestra and myself, and allowing us to explore each other’s playing styles and sound qualities. It was exciting to encounter an orchestra in possession of what is often called “the Russian sound”, a dark warmth and richness that suits those iconic concert halls so well. In the second instance, some free days in Moscow allowed time to discover first-hand the amazing amount of musical and cultural activity taking place, and a fascinating insight into the everyday life of a city currently at the centre of worldwide interest and debate.”