Performers: Vagram Saradjian – cello, Tatiana Gerasimova – piano
The musical events dedicated to Dmitry Shostakovich has been a good tradition at Russian Cultural Center. We continue to introduce the works of the great Russian composer to our audience.
Duet of incredible musicians, Vagram Saradjian and Tatiana Gerasimova is well-known in Houston. They appeared at RCC on various occasions and their performances has been acclaimed by the public.
Wine will be served.
Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as seating is limited.
We invite all to celebrate the end of winter in tradition of the Russian folk holiday. An essential and delicious element of the celebration – Russian pirogi with dufferent staffings will be offered.
There will also be an assortment of traditional Russian souvenirs for sale.
Well-known Russian band Flying Balalaika Brothers will provide the entertainment. The group plays various music: from Russian folk to bluegrass, country and rock. Dancing is allowed and encouraged.
This year, Russian Cultural Center organizes the festivities in collaboration with Houston FOTOFEST. FotoFest’s focus for its 2012 Biennial exhibitions is Contemporary Russian Photography.
Alexander Scriabin (1872- 1915) was one of the most innovative and most controversial of early modern composers. Many of his works are written for the piano. The earliest pieces resemble Frederic Chopin and include music in many forms that Chopin himself employed, such as the etude, the prelude and the mazurka. The style of composer changed enormously as he progressed. The early pieces are romantic, fresh and easily accessible, while his later compositions explore harmony’s further reaches.
An avid chamber musician, Teng-Kai Yang currently works on his doctorate in piano performance at University of Houston. His mentor is the most respectful pianist professor Abby Simon.
Wine will be served.
Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as seating is limited.
Russian Cultural Center Our Texas presents Musical Evening dedicated to Great Russian singer Feodor Chaliapin.
Feodor Chaliapin is perhaps the most legendary operatic bass in history. Possessed of a large and beautiful voice, he devoted himself to all aspects of his art — most significantly his dramatic portrayals.
Program: fragments of unique documentaries with live Chaliapin, excerpts of audio records 1900-1927 years, exhibit of singer’s portraits, display of books and photo albums about Chaliapin, presentation by Mark Zaltsberg.
Mark Zaltsberg is the passionate lover of opera music and collects the materials about Feodor Chaliapin all his life. He is the owner of the full collection of Chaliapin’s records. For many years Mark was a translator for visiting Russian singers at Houston Grand Opera.
Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as seating is limited.
Russian Cultural Center “Our Texas” presents a unique concert “Bach in Jazz Style” featuring Russian pianist Valery Grohovski, violinist Mark Cheikhet and local jazz musicians: Adam Booker (bass) and Darren Kuper (drums). These brilliant musicians demonstrate a flawless transition from classical music to jazz.
THE PROGRAM:
Part I:
Felix Mendelssohn – Wedding March from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
I. Bach – Piano Concerto in F Minor, BWV. 1056
Cole Porter – Love for Sale
I. Bach – 1-st Movement of Sonata for Viola and Piano Soloist Mark Cheikhet – Viola
Part II:
W.A. Mozart – The Piano Sonata in B-flat major, K. 333
G. Gershwin – Prelude No. 2
I. Bach – Concerto for violin with orchestra Soloist Mark Cheikhet – Violin
W. A. Mozart – Serenade in G major, K. 525 “A Little Night Music”, Finale
Program is subject to change
“Valeri Grohovski is the rarest of musicians – always playing with perfect taste.” – Tatiana Petrova, President of the Gnessin Music College, Moscow. A virtuoso classical pianist equally known for his jazz improvisational talent, Valeri Grohovski is in a class of his own. In addition to his busy concert and recording schedule, he composes, arranges and performs music in a wide range of styles for theatre and cinema. Born and raised in the former USSR, Valeri Grohovski received his doctorate in music in Moscow, before traveling to compete abroad, where he won numerous competitions in both Europe and the United States. Although he lived for a decade in the United States, he now divides his time between homes in Russia, France and Costa Rica.
Violinist Mark Cheikhet earned his master and doctorate degrees in violin performance from Moscow Conservatory. His influential teachers included Maya Glezarova, Eduard Grach, and Sergei Girshenko. He is touring widely as a soloist and in chamber ensembles throughout Russia, Germany, Italy, France, Mexico, and the U.S. His recent performances incluye Brescia-Festa Internazionale Della Musica, a festival of Russian Art in Marseille, France, along with The Promenade festival in Oldenburger, Germany and RAMA in Boston, MA.
Currently the bassist for the Kris Kimura Quintet, Adam Booker has been playing bass for over 20 years. In that short time he has been a member of the Jazz Pharaoh’s, The Asylum Street Spankers, the US Navy Band New Orleans, and others.
Darren Kuper, drums, has been playing music for over 20 years. Together with pianist Barry Brake, he spearheaded a new jazz group in 1990, naming it the Jazz Protagonists. In 2003 Modern Drummer magazine singled out his performances on “Bar Codes”, an album by Mike Brannon’s progressive-jazz group Synergy.
Please, purchase your tickets in advance as the seating is limited.
Admission: $20 (RCC members $16) Please, purchase tickets in advance as sitting is limited.
Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered to be one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music. Early influences of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and other Russian composers gave way to a thoroughly personal idiom that included a pronounced lyricism, expressive breadth, structural ingenuity, and a tonal palette of rich, distinctive orchestral colors.
Alexander Gorodnitsky is one of the most regarded and respected authors of Russian bard songs.
A man who reflects the whole epoch…
A life legend of bard music…
You can hardly find one who doesn’t know his songs, which became folksy. “Above Canada”, “Snow”, “Atlantics” are sung by everyone.
The songs and poems by Gorodnitsky are always sincere and frank: free of a single false note, and revealing high professionalism, deep insight into life and history, along with exquisite poetic gift.
This year Alexander Gorodnitsky is having a tour around America presenting his new album “Meeting the Destiny”. Cheerful, full of strength Gorodnitsky will perform well-known masterpieces as well as new songs.
For more information, call 713-395-3301 or e-mail OurTexasInc@gmail.com
Event Sponsors
This project is funded in part by a grant of the City of Houston through the Houston Art Alliance
ADMISSION: $25 adults, $20 RCC members & seniors/students
Alexander Pokidchenko is one of the most talented musicians of his generation. He plays music of various genres such as classical , jazz, and popular music, and also composes his own: Alexander graduated from composers’ faculty of Moscow State Conservatory. Among his creations are musicals, musical fairy tales, and heart-warming songs.
Alexander is a multitalented artist. Besides music concerts, he creates one-man shows which include both musical compositions and poetry reading. His performances are always acclaimed by critics and audiences.
Alexander Pokidchenko is an award-winner of International Festival of Young Musicians in Oldenburg, Germany. He is participant of musical festivals in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, France, Austria.
Program of this evening will include music by Mozart, Tsfasman, and poetry by Pushkin, Gumilev, and others.
Please call or e-mail to RSVP, as seating is limited: 713-395-3301 or russianculturalcenter@gmail.com
This year, Russian Cultural Center organizes the festivities in collaboration with Houston FOTOFEST. FotoFest’s focus for its 2012 Biennial exhibitions is Contemporary Russian Photography. 
Russian Cultural Center “Our Texas” presents a unique concert “Bach in Jazz Style” featuring Russian pianist Valery Grohovski, violinist Mark Cheikhet and local jazz musicians: Adam Booker (bass) and Darren Kuper (drums). These brilliant musicians demonstrate a flawless transition from classical music to jazz.
