Around the world to Russia

Music | March 18th, 2015

FM Symphony’s ‘Passion & Beauty’ channels Tchaikovsky, among others

In the wake of BeethovenFest, the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony returns to its Masterworks Series this weekend, bound for Russia in this “Embrace the World” offering.

This season’s worldly theme has seen stops in South America and Asia for tastes of each region’s musical flavors. “Passion & Beauty,” the latest concert, takes audiences to Russia with the likes of composers Peter Tchaikovsky and Alexander Glazunov on the program, including a guest soloist, cellist Sergey Antonov.

“He’s an incredible cellist,” said Linda Boyd, F-M Symphony executive director.

The son of two cellists and an International Tchaikovsky Competition gold prizewinner, Antonov is spotlighted in Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto.” But that’s not his only contribution to this concert.

“The opener also calls for a solo cello,” Boyd said. “So he’ll actually be playing on both pieces in the first half of the concert.”

Titled “Passion & Beauty,” this masterworks performance features a unique pairing of the powers of the cello with the “stunningly beautiful” music of the program, which includes “Symphony No. 6: La Pathétique,” a work of Tchaikovsky, the mind behind “The Nutcracker” and “The Sleeping Beauty” ballets.

“I think sometimes some critics say (Tchaikovsky’s) music is almost too pretty,” Boyd said. “His ‘Symphony No. 6’ … doesn’t translate into pathetic pity or sorrow. It more accurately translates into passion.”

Described as a “very, very passionate person” by Boyd, Tchaikovsky lived a singular life in 19th century Russia. A homosexual in an unsuccessful marriage with an oblivious wife, Tchaikovsky “poured it all out in his music,” Boyd said.

“He’s probably better known by casual audiences for his ballet music,” she added.

Now nearing the end of the “Embrace the World” season, “Passion & Beauty” takes off for Russia before the final departure for Germany in April.

For now, pack your bags for Russia, as the F-M Symphony is boarding this weekend for a trip with Antonov, Glazunov and, of course, Tchaikovsky.

“He just really knew how to write for an orchestra … sweeping strings and the colorful illustration,” Boyd said. “You’re going to need an insulin shot after this concert.”