Second Violins

Elena Kharitonova

In the orchestra since 2019

Elena Kharitonova is a graduate of the Moscow Conservatory (class of professors B.V. Belenkiy and O.V. Krysa). She completed her postgraduate studies in quartet playing under professor A.A. Shishlov.

Elena Kharitonova is the winner of the All-Soviet Quartet Competition as well as a laureate of the Shostakovich International Quartet Competition and the 6th International Chamber Ensemble Competition (Tokyo).

She has performed with “Glazunov Quartet”, the Glinka State Quartet and the “New Russian Quartet” at the best concert halls in Russia, Europe, the USA and Japan.

Since 2015, Elena Kharitonova has been a guest performer musicAeterna; since autumn 2019, she has been a full-time member of the orchestra.

WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF WORKING AS A MUSICIAN?

For me, that’s “breaking up” with the piece we’ve been playing. It becomes part of me and doesn’t let go for a long time.

HOW DO YOU RECOVER AFTER LARGE PROJECTS?

After large projects, there are new ones to care about and get ready for: figure out the fingering, listen to recordings, prepare mentally. This helps to switch the attention to the new projects. Also, spending time with my wonderful cat is a great way for me to relax and recover.

HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED A NON-MUSIC CAREER?

I consider music to be the most beautiful thing in the world, so I can’t imagine being happy without it.

WHAT MUSIC DO YOU DREAM OF PERFORMING?

This season, I’m going to perform Beethoven’s symphony cycle as part of musicAeterna for the first time, and I’m happily excited about that. Besides, together with the quartet, we’re now preparing a programme comprised of Quartet No.15, Op.132 and the Große Fuge (Op.133). I’m going to take a deep dive into Beethoven’s music — isn’t that amazing?

WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN WORKING WITH MUSICAETERNA?

MusicAeterna is a unique orchestra where creative energy and unison of thought converge. This is transmitted to the listeners by each orchestra member, so both the performers and the audience feel truly deep emotions during the concert.