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St. Petersburg

Author: EEBaum
Date: 2007-04-28 07:54

I'm going to be in St. Petersburg (Russia) for a few days next month. Any recommendations for must-see musical stuff? I know there's a spectacular musical tradition in general, but would especially love off-the-beaten-path recommendations (i.e. things not on the first page of the tourist books), double-bonus for clarinet and/or contemporary suggestions.

I'll also have a very short time (a couple afternoons) in Moscow, if there's something I absolutely can't miss.

Thanks in advance...

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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Re: St. Petersburg

Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2007-04-29 01:04

Russia's greatest orchestra is the St. Petersburg Philharmonic (formerly the Leningrad Philharmonic). They have a very distinctive sound. The string playing is second to none. The woodwinds are pretty solid, though the oboes may sound odd to western ears. The brass is most distinctive of all - the horns use vibrato, and the trumpets play LOUDLY. Many regard their recordings of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, under conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky, to be definitive.

Here is their concert schedule for May:

http://www.philharmonia.spb.ru/eng/afishad_2007-05.html

Just as wonderful is the Mariinsky Ballet (formerly known as the Kirov ballet). Here is their May schedule:

http://www.mariinsky.ru/en/playbill?pbmy=200705

And if you are a lover of non-musical art, the Hermitage museum is the first place I would go. It was created in the 1700s by Catherine the Great to hold her vast private art collection. Nearly every great artist is represented, and the museum houses the world's largest collection of Rembrandts.

Here is their site:

http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/index.html

As for offbeat stuff, you'll find plenty of street musicians and artists. Most people in the big Russian cities walk and ride the Metro for transportation. Get some good walking shoes and just walk around town. When you have to cross a street - run! In Russia, cars always have the right of way, and they will try to run you down if they can. Also, the Russians have an unhealthy obsession with McDonald's. They're everywhere, and they're packed full.

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Re: St. Petersburg

Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-29 11:42

I am not going to Russia, but this thread got me thinking- are there any good Russian instrument makers?

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Re: St. Petersburg

Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-04-29 15:27

I am going to St. Pete in July (finally got the Visas)
Unfortunately the orchestral web page is showing only May and June.
Hopefully they will update soon.

Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-

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Re: St. Petersburg

Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-04-29 15:37

> I am going to St. Pete in July

Make sure you're landing in the correct country. [wink]

--
Ben

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Re: St. Petersburg

Author: jane84
Date: 2007-04-29 16:49

Wow, I'm going there in August-sept, for a language course!
Thinking of asking some local professor(s) for a lesson(s) - do you think this would be possible? (according to Russian customs and such)

-jane

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