|
When the Russian choir ‘Voskresenije’ put on a concert last
year at Girvan Methodist Church, they were welcomed by a
packed church and an enthusiastic hope that they would come
back next year. Well, they are, and the programme will also
include Maybole this time.
Sponsored by the South Ayrshire Team of the Scottish
Episcopal Church, they will put on a concert on Wednesday 26th
October 7.30pm at St Oswald’s, Cargill Road, Maybole, and on
Friday 28th October 7.30pm at Girvan Methodist
Church (St John’s Episcopal).
The small choir of eight singers with their conductor Jurij
Maruk are from St. Petersburg in Russia. The Carrick events
are part of a UK tour. All members of the choir are
professional singers, trained at the St Petersburg
Conservatory of Music. The concert will be in two parts:
the first half will concentrate on sacred music from the
Russian Orthodox tradition, mainly by Rachmaninov. This will
be a spectacular sound, the harmonies of which are unique to
Russian music. The second half will be Russian folk songs,
which will allow each of the performers to provide a solo,
ranging from soprano to basso-profundo, where Anatoly
Artamonov will display an extraordinary range of bass notes
that few even in the world of Russian choral music can
attain.
Two years ago the choir visited Culzean Castle whilst they
were in the local area and gave an impromptu performance on
the oval staircase. This resulted in an instant booking to
include Culzean in their 2010 tour.
The area around Girvan has links with Russia. In 1920 the
cruiser ‘Varyag’ which fought in the Russian-Japanese
war in 1904 hit the rocks off Lendalfoot where it sank. Now
the wreckage lies beneath the sea. For years Russian divers
have been trying to salvage parts of it but they say very
little remains. But what has been salvaged is on display in
Russia.
In 2007, a memorial was unveiled at Lendalfoot in a ceremony
attended by senior Russian politicians, navy officers and
veterans. The locals are proud of their Russian connection.
“It’s a symbol now to the people of this area of what is
Russia and of those who fought in the 1904 war,” said
Provost Winifred Sloan at the unveiling.
The concerts begins at 7.30pm with a 20 minute interval
during which refreshments will be served. Tickets are £5
payable at the door. |
