© Olya Runyova Ⓘ
Alto

Elena Shestakova

In the choir since 2013

WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC?
Music has surrounded me for as long as I can remember. My grandmother used to sing when doing the housework. My aunt — a professional pianist — set up music nights, and I constantly performed at various children’s events. However, I only felt the strong urge to take music seriously around the time I was at music college. That’s where I got introduced to all sorts of music — old, ethnic, modern. This sparked my love towards it.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU PREFER NOW?
My playlist has all sorts of music in it. I often take a more thoughtful re-listen to classical pieces by Tchaikovsky, Mahler and Beethoven. But sometimes I want to hear something completely different: say, Apocalyptica or even pop music.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE THE MOST IN WORKING WITH MUSICAETERNA?
First of all, it’s the opportunity to work with Teodor Currentzis. Maestro is one of the few people who are able to hear music differently — and to teach that. I have no idea how he manages to do that. “The composer has outlined all the nuances in the score,” he usually says. “Let’s just follow what’s written there.” But as a result, the piece sounds in a different way. For example, Maestro has re-introduced me to Mozart’s “Requiem”. It’s one of the most famous academic music pieces, and I had thought I knew every single note in it — but after a few rehearsals, I realized it was totally unfamiliar to me. By the way, Maestro’s magical ability extends to revealing people’s undiscovered talents as well.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?
Like any professional, I strive to get even better at my craft. I want to sing in a way that I find even more satisfying. When you feel that inner satisfaction, you know you’re on the right way.

musicAeterna choir events

+
September 25, 18:30
Concert of musicAeterna choir: Shostakovich, Martin, Ligeti and others
Choral concert

Dmitry Shostakovich
Ten Poems on Texts of Revolutionary Poets (1951, Op. 88)

Frank Martin (1890-1974)
Mass for Double Choir (1926)

Goffredo Petrassi (1904-2003)
“Nonsense”, for mixed choir on poems by Edward Lear (1952)

Gyorgy Ligeti (1923-2006)
“Nonsense Madrigals” for male voices (1993)

Alexey Syumak
“1948” (world premiere!)

+
September 26, 19:00
Concert of musicAeterna choir: Shostakovich, Martin, Ligeti and others
Choral concert

Dmitry Shostakovich
Ten Poems on Texts of Revolutionary Poets (1951, Op. 88)

Frank Martin (1890-1974)
Mass for Double Choir (1926)

Goffredo Petrassi (1904-2003)
“Nonsense”, for mixed choir on poems by Edward Lear (1952)

Gyorgy Ligeti (1923-2006)
“Nonsense Madrigals” for male voices (1993)

Alexey Syumak
“1948” (world premiere!)

+
September 28, 18:00
Concert of musicAeterna choir: Sviridov and Martin
Choral concert

Georgy Sviridov (1915-1998)
Choir Concert “Pushkin Wreath”

Frank Martin (1890-1974)
Mass for Double Choir (1926)

+
An event of residency
October 6, 20:00
Philippe Hersant: Tristia
Choral concert

Philippe Hersant
Choral Opera Tristia (2016)

+
An event of residency
October 7, 19:30
Works by Shostakovich and Smirnov for choir
Choral concert

Dmitri Shostakovich
Ten Poems on Texts of Revolutionary Poets (1951, Op. 88)

Dmitri Smirnov
Prayers from St. John Chrysostom’s Liturgy for mixed choir