PLAYING A NEW PART

In the musical life of Minsk, where each day something special happens, it is particularly difficult to surprise the public. However, amateurs of classical music who have ever attended a concert in Belarusian Academic Symphony Orchestra under the conducting of Mikhail Snitko were nicely impressed by the considerable concert program and brilliant performance.

What was played there? One could listen to the overture for the opera “Sila Roka” by Verdi, Mendelssohn’s concerto for the violin accompanied by mi minor key orchestra (opus 64), and the highlight of the program was, or course, the 5th symphony by Tchaikovsky.

When composing the symphony (1888), Tchaikovsky was occupied with the problems of human existence, ethics, and philosophical comprehension of life. As a result, this musical composition shows such significant features as tragic theme intensification, fate struggling, intensification of the psychological embodiment principle and conflict. His imagery is integrated with the theme in the introduction that alters, becomes transformed, and runs throughout the whole symphony. Andante excites with its musical expressiveness. One can feel a majestic vim as well as tragedy and a profound human drama. Such genre arts as waltz and march also contribute to portraying in the symphony the psychological images. It is only in the denouement that the tragic theme of fate turns into a heroic triumphant image which incarnates human victory over hostile forces, the revelation of a courageous spirit, and will to live.

The opera “Sila Roka” by Verdi can boast with an uncommon pre-story. In 1861 the author was offered to compose an opera for Russia. When looking for a plot, he decided in favour of the play “Don Alvara, ili Sila Roka” by the Spanish romanticist don Angele Peres de Saavedra. The theme of the play was dedicated to the Spanish enslavement of the North American tribes. The whole opera performance, except for the folk scenes, is penetrated by a gloomy colouring, “the horrors of romanticism”. As a result of the fatal action development, all the characters turn out to be dead by the end of the performance. In the overture for the opera it is vivid tunefulness, psychological images and their contrast that impress audience most of all. These features are nicely underlined by the conductor.

Mendelssohn’s concerto for the violin accompanied by mi minor key orchestra is remarkably popular both with the performers and listeners. The composer reveals here the best qualities of his talent: uncommon melodious gift, sophisticated lyricism, the delicacy of orchestration, the harmony of classical and romantic elements. That’s the anthem to life! It seems that the composer’s emotional cheerfulness has been reproduced by the concerto performer, International prize-winner Lidiya Dobrzhinets. It must be the violinist’s youth, expressiveness, optimism, sincerity, and spontaneity that have amazed the audience. Where does this young tender girl derive her internal strength and human passion from? It will up to the point here to remind G.Nejhaus: “A marble statue can be made only from marble, not from clay or gypsum”. That’s it! In this case everything is real, and there is no place for pretense. The performer shows the idea, the sense, excellent technique, a love and wonderful tone, deep understanding of the author’s intention.

It is worth saying a couple of words about the main hero of the occasion – the conductor Mikhail Snitko. He is a highly experienced performer: for a long time he worked as the art director and the chief conductor of “The dancing and singing group of the Armed Forces of Belarus”. But at this concert he picks up a new part as the conductor of the Symphony Orchestra, thus revealing great talent of conducting. Mr. Snitko possesses a lot of good qualities, but the excellent command of the score, theatrical training, the temper of a conductor, the tender conductor’s gesture, deep understanding of the author’s intention, spontaneity, sincere music perception, and peaceful enthusiasm towards conducting are particularly worth pointing out.

Mikhail Snitko shows poetical devotedness, as well as feeling of dynamic contrasts, from a concealed pianissimo to a powerful forte. He is unsurpassed when performing Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony. It is obvious that it is too much familiar and comprehensible to the musician: one can feel complete freedom, liberation, clear observation of phrasing, and feeling of the form.

It would be unfair not to say a few words about the orchestra which is distinctive by its experienced, highly profound musicians. The later demonstrate effective standards of performance and mastership. The enormous performing experience helps them to get out of any extreme situation and to overcome any technical problem.

There nothing else left to add, but to say: the concert is a success!

Alexej Kagateev,
Belarusian national artist