As most people know, or possibly not as the case may be, Russians hold The Arts, in all her forms, in very high esteem. Whether it be the Visual Arts or Music or any of the Performing Arts, each is equally important here in Russia. In Moscow, there are opportunities year-round for the casual observer, the enthusiast or art lover to take part in any variety of artistic events at any given moment. None are as beloved by Muscovites perhaps as are the Декабьские вечера, or The Famous December Nights at The Pushkin Fine Arts Museum. It is said that you have not truly experienced the Moscow cultural scene until you have attended one of the Famous December Nights.
Set during the darkest month of the year, this international classical music festival showcases a variety of musical talent set in an exhibition hall in the upper floor of the Pushkin Museum’s main building. Each evening, different artists play for a sold-out audience of about 250 patrons of all ages and from all walks of life.
Braving the frigid December temperatures and blowing winds, we walked along улица Волхонка past Christ The Saviour Cathedral to the side entrance of the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. A quick trip to the lower level to drop off our coats in the cloakroom and a trip to the loo later, we were ready to head to our seats.
To access the concert hall we walked the red carpet to the top of the main marble staircase and were treated to a display of 15th and 16th Century sketches that compliment the current Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition in the prints and drawings section of the Museum. As there was time left before the concert was to begin, we took the opportunity to examine some of the works more closely.
Encased in what I can only imagine is bullet-proof glass was one of Leonardo’s sketchbooks, opened to display the musings of a genius mind. The special exhibit itself was closed as the museum’s visiting hours were long since over.
Our seats were in the fourth row, at the side so our view was unobstructed and very convenient - we didn’t have to climb over anyone and were able to come and go as we pleased without disturbing anyone else. This also afforded me the opportunity to linger just a bit longer with the drawings and sketches before taking my seat. Equally as interesting were the patrons that evening. I was particularly entranced by the young man with a Dali-esque moustache and Colonel Saunders goatee.
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There were, of course, the requisite older ladies with linked arms, whispering conspiratorially and the young couples dressed to the nines and the mother and child pairs out for an evening of culture and music. I was very impressed by the audience’s behaviour. People took their places promptly and there were very few unoccupied seats. Everyone was very eager for the music to transport us temporarily to a place far away from the dark, cold winter nights. As precisely as a Swiss clock keeps time, the evening’s performers took to the simple stage and after a simple introduction, began to coax incredible sounds from their piano and violin.
The evening’s program of Schubert, Strauss and Prokofiev was exquisitely interpreted by Grammy winner Joshua Bell (violin) and critically acclaimed British pianist Sam Hayward. Bell’s love of creating music was evident as his face reflected each and every note lovingly coaxed from his violin. Hayward’s integration of 21st Century technology with 19th and 20th Century compositions was seamlessly linked through an iPad - his sheet music page-turning achieved with Bluetooth technology. The partners made an impression on more than just me as the audience applauded the duo for three callbacks and two encores.
As cameras and phones and recording devices were prohibited, I have nothing but my own memories of the concert experience to enjoy and replay in my mind. Fortunately, thanks to the magic of technology and the internet, both artists have their own websites and should you wish to experience some of the magic we were treated to on the 17th of December, feel free to follow these links:
http://www.joshuabell.com/
http://www.samhaywood.com/
Our evening was truly filled with beautiful music created by an incredibly gifted pair. I have to agree with the locals. The Декабьские вечера concerts, if they are remotely similar to the one we attended, are not to be missed.
