The St. Petersburg Philharmonic is the "oldest Philharmonia in Russia" - going back to 1802 when the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society, the first in Europe, was created. They'll perform Thursday, March 2 at Purdue for Convos with a Brahms and Shostakovich program in Elliott Hall of Music at 7:30pm.
Music Director John Clare had a chance to ask the group a few questions before their performance:
1. Are there different preparations for a tour than a regular concert? (Musically and otherwise)
There is almost no difference whatsoever.
2. When you return to a town (thanks for coming back to Purdue!), or explore a new one, do you get a chance to try local cuisine or sightsee?
Thank you for having me! I usually take interest in my surroundings, be it a new place or one where I’ve already been. Of course, it often depends on how much free time I have, but I always look forward to getting to know the places I visit. I have some favourite spots in New York, in San Francisco. Hopefully, the list continues to grow. If a town has an art museum, I usually try to visit it. I’m more into painting, science and technology museums don’t interest me as much, for better or worse!
3. While the musical program (or certain selections) may repeat, is it a challenge or exciting to play in different halls?
Well, the Petersburg school requires that any given musician must be able to play music (or make music, or create music). That includes improvisation and immediacy. The music must be created here and now, on the spot. That is often the reason why so few of my musician friends like recordings. There must be that immediacy, that connection with the audience, with the concert hall. Only then music can truly be created and played.
