First Violins

Alexander Kotelnikov

In the orchestra since 2019

Alexander Kotelnikov is a graduate of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State
Conservatory (class of S.I. Kravchenko, head of the violin department and Honoured Artist of Russia).

Alexander Kotelnikov is a laureate of numerous Russian and international competitions such as the J. Heifetz International competition in Vilnius, Lithuania (3rd place) and the International competition in Astana, Kazakhstan (1st place). He has performed in Russia, Ukraine, USA, Greece, Germany and Austria.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR WORKING ON A NEW PIECE?

First of all, I of course get acquainted with the piece in question; even if it is a familiar one, giving it another listen never hurts. There are several conductors whose perception of music appeals to me, so I am always eager to hear their version. The only way to form your own opinion on a piece of music is to do deep research and study the details. Even if I disagree with how the piece is played in the recording, it gives me food for thought and might provide a few ideas. Later, during rehearsals, maestro brings his own vision to life. The result we all aim for can only be achieved if each of us is individually prepared. Knowing the history of the piece is important: very often, the composer conveys real-life events and emotions through the music.

SHOULD THE AUDIENCE ALSO PREPARE FOR HEARING THE MUSIC BEFOREHAND?

For certain kinds of music, they probably should — particularly if we are talking about modern music. Without preparation, the audience might perceive some of it as little more than random sounds. But read the annotation, and you will learn why exotic instruments are used, what ideas are conveyed through sound effects, and why it all should sound exactly like it does.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF A CAREER BEYOND MUSIC?

For me, that would be civil aviation — my second essential passion in life. I regularly pilot a Yak-18t with my instructor and hope to get a pilot’s license.

musicAeterna orchestra events

October 11, 19:00

Moscow | Zaryadye Hall

Hændel. A Dedication Ceremony to George Frideric Handel

Georg Friedrich Handel (1685–1759)

Prelude

Augelletti, ruscelletti, the aria of Maria Kleopova from the oratorio La resurrezione, HWV 47 (1708)

Zadok the Priest, Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV 258 (1727)

Disserratevi, o porte d’Averno, the aria of Angel from the oratorio La resurrezione, HWV 47 (1708)

Ah! Crudel nel pianto mio, the aria of Armida from the opera Rinaldo, HWV 78 (1711)

Overture to the opera Agrippina, HWV 6 (1709–1710)

As with Rosy Steps the Morn, the aria of Irina from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

De torrente in via bibet, duet with chorus from the psalm Dixit Dominus, HWV 232 (1707)

Oh, Let the Merry Bells Ring Round, aria with chorus from the oratorio L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55 (1740)

Pena tiranna, the aria of Dardano from the opera Amadigi di Gaula, HWV 11 (1715)

Eternal Source of Light Divine, fragment from the cantata Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74 (1713)

Alla Hornpipe, No. 2 from the orchestral suite
The Water Music No. 2 in D Major, HWV 349 (1716–1717)

He Saw the Lovely Youth, chorus from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Piangerò la sorte mia, the aria of Cleopatra from the opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto, HWV 17 (1724)

Ah! Stigie larve — Vaghe pupille, the recitative and aria of Orlando from the opera Orlando, HWV 31 (1733)

O Love Divine, thou Source of Fame, chorus from the oratorio Theodora, HWV 68 (1750)

Sing Ye to the Lord, chorus with solo soprano from the oratorio Israel in Egypt, HWV 54 (1739)

Performers:

artists of the Anton Rubinstein Academy
Tatiana Bikmukhametova, soprano
Yulia Vakula, mezzo-soprano
Ksenia Dorodova, soprano
Diana Nosyreva, soprano
Iveta Simonyan, soprano
Sofia Tsygankova, soprano
Andrey Nemzer, countertenor, soloist and vocal coach of the Anton Rubinstein Academy
musicAeterna Choir and Orchestra
musicAeterna Dance troupe

Music Director and Conductor Teodor Currentzis
Stage Director Elizaveta Moroz
Choirmaster Vitaly Polonsky
Assistant Conductor Evgeny Vorobyov
Production Designer, Costume Designer Sergey Illarionov
Choreographer Valentina Lutsenko

Buy Ticket

October 17, 22:30

Madrid | Auditorio Nacional de Música