THE MOSCOW VIOLIN DUO

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

THE MOSCOW VIOLIN DUO

“From Russia with Love” was created in 2005 as an attempt to find a new way of bringing classical music to an audience, to give them an idea about some aspects of life in former Soviet Union, to share some personal memories. In their program Lydia and Vladimir play classical violin pieces and… talk. They talk about… well… just about everything, about their childhood, how their careers developed under the Soviet system, how they met, married, moved to the United States. The pieces they play have a direct connection with whatever they are talking about at the moment. For example, Lydia talks about her turbulent times at the Special Music School for Gifted Children in Leningrad and then plays movement from a Sonata by Ysaye, “The Furies”. Vladimir tells us about a succession of great Jewish violin teachers he was so fortunate to study with and plays Achron “Hebrew Melody”. Listening to this fine and diverse music (the program covers all styles from Baroque to 20th century) and unforgettable stories creates an atmosphere of intimate connection between performers and the audience and keeps classical music lovers and those new to it, engaged for the entire one hour and forty five minute program.  

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The pieces to be played during the “From Russia with Love” program are:

Beriot: Duo Concertante for two violins op.57, No. 1 in G mvnt I.  Moderato

Tchaikovsky: Melody  for violin and piano

Bartok: Rumanian Dances  1,4,5,6  for violin and piano     

Ysaye: Sonata for violin solo op. 27, #2 IV. Les Furies     

Achron: Hebrew Melody for violin and piano

Vivaldi: Concerto for two violins and orchestra (piano) L’Estro Armonico op.3 #5

Beethoven: Violin Sonata No.1 in D major, Op.12 No.1    I. Allegro con brio  

Wieniawski: Concerto For Violin And Orchestra (piano) No. 2 in D Minor    II. Romance. Andante non troppo

Bach: Double Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins And Orchestra, BWV 1043    II. Largo ma non tanto 

Prokofiev: Sonata  in C, Op.56  for two violins    I. Andante cantabile

Kern: Smoke gets in your eyes for 2 violins and piano

Sarasate: Navarra' For Two Violins and Piano