Classics VS pop music: Russian violin virtuosos in the United States rated contemporary hits

They never met, did not rehearse, and did not perform together in front of the general public, but will try to do it in September. For the first time in history, one hundred musicians from 74 countries of the world came to New York to play at the main venues of the city. Under the direction of the world's leading conductors YPHIL Internatonal Philharmonic orchestra will give seven concerts throughout New York - from Times Square to Carnegie Hall.

Artists from Israel and Palestine, Russia and Ukraine, Turkey and Armenia - countries separated by conflicts - will work and play together for three weeks. The musicians will teach a clear lesson to politicians, demonstrating how people from different countries, religions and nationalities, with a dissimilar past and different outlook, who each speak their own language, unite and learn to understand each other.

Russia is represented in the orchestra by one of Markov's violinists' dynasties, Alexander, the gold medalist of the Paganini competition. He will be a soloist in three of seven concerts.

His father, a concert violinist, composer, teacher Albert Markov, was a soloist of the largest American orchestras. Mother, Marina Markova, is also a violinist. In Russia, she played in the orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater, in America - in the New York Opera.

The Markovs moved to the USA in 1975. They performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, were friends with Mstislav Rostropovich, Dmitry Shostakovich’s family and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium.

Alexander, Marina and Albert Markov. Photo: Katya Kostyukova

The Markovs are still actively performing with concerts and teaching in the best schools of Manhattan. On the eve of the concerts, “Forum” talked with the musicians about the unifying power of art and asked them to evaluate contemporary hits that are in the top positions in the Billboard rating.

How do you feel about the idea of ​​combining musicians from different, sometimes even conflicting countries? Will they be able to “play” in such a short time?

Alexander Markov: The main thing - they will combine music. I know that the selection was very serious: more than a thousand applications, the evaluation of which for several months involved a whole team.

Each of the selected musicians represents their country and does not want to let it down. For them, these performances will be like the Olympics. The musicians of YPHIL were preparing for New York concerts still at home, in their own countries, and now in New York they also rehearse eight to ten hours a day.

The final concert will be held at Carnegie Hall - the most prestigious hall in the world, where the greatest musicians performed. I played in the best halls of the world, but when I perform at Carnegie Hall, I get the feeling that I am standing on top of the largest rock. I play and think: “I did it!”.

Alexander Markov on the stage of Carnegie Hall. Photo: YouTube

Albert Markov: In fact, most famous orchestras are international. And everyone finds a common language.

Alexander Markov: I know that among the guests at our concerts there will be presidents, ambassadors, representatives of the United Nations and outstanding musicians. I can not wait to play! This concert is not ordinary - it is a contact with the whole world.

What do you think of the musical program of the concerts?

Alexander Markov: It is very diverse, there is something for everyone in it: several world premieres, new-sounding performances of a symphony orchestra with folk instruments. Plus, live performance is always very personal. This is a magic that is born before your eyes and which is intended for you personally. It is great that the foundation “TURKEN foundation”, which organized this series of concerts, gave the musicians such a chance. It happens once in a lifetime.

Are you ready to listen and evaluate the hits from the most authoritative rating of popular music Billboard?

Albert Markov: We survived the war, so we endure it!

Let's then start with the first line, the song Cheerleader, the performer is OMI.

Albert Markov: Such music usually sounds at bus stations, without it it would be somehow lonely to wait for transport. It gives listeners a feeling of confidence and comfort, but no more, creates a rhythmic and sound support for those on the road.

Marina Markova: This music gets on my nerves.

Alexander Markov: That's horrible! Garbage! It sounds very old-fashioned. I don’t understand how this song appeared in the rating. This is a falsification.

Well, with the first number of the charts sorted out. The longest this year (fifteen weeks) on the first line of the Billboard lasted the song Uptown funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. Let's listen to her.

Alexander Markov: I like it, this is a clear reflection of the eighties. Then the rhythm of such a plan was very fashionable. Everything is made great in this composition. Such music ignites. You come to the club - and there every bit gives you right in the heart. People start to dance. For this, everything is done: the melody is catchy, sung beautifully. Everything is very collected.

Albert Markov: In the provinces of South Africa, I heard from the local population even more complex rhythmic workings. There is no melody, but there is a complicated rhythm. It gives energy. I perceive it not as music, but as rhythmic noise. It is impossible to listen.

Alexander Markov: This is music for the body, for movement, for dancing.

Marina Markova: I hate that kind of music. I will not listen to her. But it is professional and it excites, acts like a drug.

Why do you think classical music does not fall into well-known music ratings?

Albert Markov: In music, there are three floors of complexity. There is classical music that has been practiced for 700 years. All this time, professionals have been perfecting art, technology, tools. Since classical music developed in churches and palaces, it reflects the tastes of people who are at the top of culture. The need for classical music will always be felt only by the elite part of society.

There is an average level of musical development: people have some idea of ​​music, they studied or indulged in music a little and understand how others play.

The third level is the mass, the street crowd, which needs very strong sounds, stimulants. It does not need subtlety, nuances, sensations. Crowds need to express their explosive bestial instinct, blow off steam and get rid of stress.

Alexander Markov: Itzhak Perelman [Israeli violinist, conductor and teacher], who repeatedly received awards “Grammy”, said that popular hits - for a while, and classic hits live hundreds of years. By the way, in rock music there are as many nuances and details as in classical. Real rock musicians play, feel and convey the same emotions as in the classics. Therefore, for example, the rock concert, written by me in collaboration with James Remington, is included in the program of the orchestra. Rock and roll for me is also a whole art. To create something interesting in this genre is very difficult.

Who do you think are the greatest representatives of classical music?

Albert Markov: Johanna Sebastian Bach. Beethoven is also great - he portrayed the movement, conflict, struggle, revolution and created a completely new warlike musical world. But no one has surpassed Bach so far. He displayed not momentary, but eternal.

Alexander Markov: But Mozart put much more personal, deep feelings into his works. Therefore, for me - he is the best.

Portraits of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Brahms. “Our closest relatives,” the Markovs joke. Photo: Katya Kostyukova

You can listen to high-quality music performed by the YPHIL International Philharmonic Orchestra at seven concerts in New York:

September 10, 19: 30 - Concert “Voices of the World”.

Symphony Space - Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

Conductor: Peter Brainer.

Tickets can be bought here.

Tel. (212) 864-5400.

14 September, 15: 00 - Concert “United Hearts”.

Herald Square - Concert to commemorate the victims and heroes of the September 11 tragedy.

16 September, 15: 00 - “The voice of my country”, Times Square.

September 17, 19: 30 - A concert in the New York University Skirball Hall.

Tickets can be bought here.

Tel. (888) 611-8183.

20 September, 15: 00 - Friendship of Nations concert at Bowling Green Park, Wall Street.

September 25, 19: 00 - Gala dinner at the New York Public Library on 5-th Avenue.

27 September, 20: 00 - Concert in the name of world peace.

Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium/Ronald O. Perelman Stage. Conductor: Jose Luis Gomez, soloist: Alexander Markov. Hosted by Danny Glover.

Tickets can be bought here.

Tel. (212) 247-7800.