The Embassy of the Russian Federation was host to an extraordinary concert performed by members of the Britten - Shostakovich Festival Orchestra under the incredible musical baton of the organiser and conductor Jan Latham – Koening. The BSFO was formed in 2019 to mark the Year of Music being a bilateral initiative between Russia and the United Kingdom. The orchestra is made up of young musicians from both countries who work intensively together before presenting a series of concerts which tour both countries.
At a time of political turmoil between Russia and the UK, the hope is that music can bring people together even when barriers divide them. During the cold war, the friendship between Britten and Shostakovich remained one of the brightest beacons of hope during a difficult time and so today the unstinting support and encouragement from both governments could be a ray of sunshine for years to come.
The orchestra contained musicians from the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music & Drama and St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music. Two outstanding violinists performed Shostakovich’s 5 pieces for two violins and piano with the piano being played brilliantly by Jan Latham – Koening. The second piece by Prokofiev was played by a wider orchestral group and was his Overture on Hebrew Themes which he composed whilst in New York.
The third and last piece was selected movements from William Walton’s Façade Entertainments. This extraordinary music was written to support the poems by Edith Sitwell. The eleven selected poems were sung by two outstanding artists - the former tenor principal at English National Opera Mark Le Brocq and the British spinto soprano Katerina Mina. Their task was not easy as this was more a spoken part rather than a singing part, but both were outstanding in their presentation.
The conductor, who regularly performs at leading opera houses around the world, Jan Latham – Koening proved himself a musical master holding everything together and controlling the proceedings, making for a surprisingly magical evening.
Perhaps there is life yet in the UK - Russian relationship and the deserved support required and needed by this orchestra can shine light on the effect of music in today's political world.