The Russian Voice: A Musical Journey

Soprano Sophie Pullen, tenor Gary Marriott together with pianist Francis Rayner and oboist, Susan Hutton present an evening of the classical music that formed the soundtrack of Russia’s musical life from the mid 19th century – Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov, Liszt, Grieg, Bellini and Verdi, writes Chris Cormack. Appropriately it is at Kino-Teatr.

Francis Rayner

Everyone knows the piano concertos of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov, ballets like The Nutcracker or Ravel’s orchestration of Moussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, but these great Russian composers devoted much time to opera and songs, most of which we never hear; they are very tuneful, emotional and dramatic – like the great Italian music of Puccini, Verdi, Rossini etc.

Sophie Pullen

Sophie Pullen had a very good year in 2015 as winner of the Förderpreis der Stadt Torgau at the Internationale Sängerakademie; she graduated with a Distinction and the Postgraduate Prize for Excellence from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2013 studying with Christine Cairns. Sophie has become well known locally for her virtuoso contributions to Bexhill Choral Society,  and Buxted Symphony Orchestra concerts and more recently to Barefoot Opera. Other recent work includes Strauss Galas with the Orchestra of St John’s and recitals for Bexleyheath Music Society & cover Musetta. In 2016 she looks forward to performances aboard the Minerva in Chile and Peru, a masterclass with Dame Anne Evans at Cadogan Hall and a recital for Clapham Opera Festival in the spring.

Gary Marriott also has a large fan base in 1066 country and his frequent music contributions  enrich our classical music scene. In keeping with his belief in the remedial benefits of singing in a choir, for large parts of the year he leads singing sessions known as Tune up Tuesdays, which are designed to be cheap, easy going and fun for people, who might otherwise be shy about joining a choir. The next 10 sessions of Tune up Tuesdays commence this Tuesday 12 January 2016 at 5.15pm at the Tabernacle, Cambridge Road, Hastings (opposite ESK). Gary will be performing with the Hastings Sinfonia on 30 January in their Winter Concert and, alongside Sophie, will perform with Bexhill Choral Society on 7 May 2016.

Susan Hutton oboist

Accomplished musicians Francis Rayner and Susan Hutton have often performed together locally. Following his studies at Chetham’s School of Music and the Royal Northern School of Music, Francis won two major prizes in international competitions, held in Italy and France. Since moving to St Leonards in 1996 he has been involved with the prestigious Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition and the Hastings Philharmonic Choir. Susan Hutton also attended Chetham’s School of Music, studying both oboe and piano, and later continued her oboe studies with Donald Humphries. In 2007 she gained a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music performer’s diploma. In recent years, she has performed Bach’s concerto for oboe and violin, and Mozart’s oboe quartet to critical acclaim. In May this year, Susan will be performing Albinoni’s double oboe concerto with Ruth Elias, under the baton of Ken Roberts with the Sussex Concert Orchestra. This Friday she plays Poulenc’s oboe sonata which is his very last work and is dedicated to his friend, the prominent Russian composer Prokofiev.

Nearly all Russian vocal music is a genuine outpouring of feeling, never an academic exercise, rarely deliberately experimental. Just concentrating on setting the words and the the feelings those words evoke –  reinforcing and celebrating the “Russian Soul”. Enter the comfort of the beautiful Kino-Teatr parlour room for a relaxed and enjoyable romp through song, opera, poetry, chamber music and solo piano works.

The Russian Voice: A Musical Journey
Friday 15 January at 7:30 pm
Kino-Teatr 43-49 Norman Road,Saint Leonards TN38 OEQ
Tickets £10  Book Now 

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