Wasn’t it romantic?
Milford. Kindred Spirits presents Ukrainian Romantic composers at Grey Towers.
Milford /
| 22 Aug 2023 | 12:14
Cellist Yosif Feigelson, who also is founder and artistic director of the Kindred Spirits Arts Programs, addressing the audience at Grey Towers prior to the Ukrainian Romantics Concert. Photos by Marilyn Rosenthal.
Violinist Mikhail Kopelman, Olga Tourkina (a former student of Kopelman) and cellist Yosif Feigelson playing during the third concert in Kindred Spirit’s Summer Concert Series at Grey Towers. (
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Joe Koloski, the new Director of Grey Towers.
The third concert in Kindred Spirit’s Summer Concert Series on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Grey Towers National Historic Site was a tribute to the Ukrainian Romantic Composers Mykola Lysenko and Reinhold Glière.
It was a perfect night – under the open-air canopy at the pool pavilion at Grey Towers, renown world-class artists violinist Mikhail Kopelman and cellist Yosif Feigelson, along with Olga Tourkina (a former student of Kopelman).
‘A special privilege to bring this music to our audience’
The music was unfamiliar to many in the incredibly appreciative audience - and perhaps all the more intriguing.
The concert was a sell-out.
“This type of music hasn’t been performed much in this country,” Feigelson, also the founder and artistic director of the Kindred Spirits Arts Programs, said, “and it is a special privilege to bring this music to our audience.”
Although Feigelson has performed all over the world with many leading orchestras, there is a very special bond between him and the regular Kindred Spirits audience.
“It’s a pleasure to play for our audience,” he said. “I know many of them personally. And it’s good to see many new faces.”
‘So lucky to have this in Milford’
The first piece they played was Frederico Fiorillo’s duet for violin and cello in three movements.
The musical rapport between Kopelman and Feigelson was thrilling to the audience and prompted Frances Naftal to exclaim: “We’re so lucky to have this in Milford.”
Violinist Olga Tourkina joined Kopelman and Feigelson in a rarely performed string trio composed by Ukrainian Composer Mykola Lysenko. There were four movements which ignited the audience.
The last piece was a duet in eight movements by Kiev composer Reinhold Glière. The audience responded with a standing ovation.
Joe Koloski, the new director of Grey Towers was enjoying his first encounter with these concerts at Grey Towers.
“Beautiful night, beautiful music,” Koloski said, summing up the evening. “And what a great opportunity!”
Next
The last Kindred Spirits concert in the Grey Towers Series will be on Saturday, Sept. 9, entitled “Stories in Jazz” with the New York City-based Roni Ben-Hur Quartet led by guitarist Roni Ben-Hur and featuring singer/composer Tamuz Nissim.
They will be playing a variety of American classics, international light jazz as well as their own music.
Further details and tickets are available at www.KindredSpiritsArts.org.