# Asmik Grigorian at Alfred Hertz Memorial Concert Hall, December 15, 2024

[Cal Performances](https://calperformances.org/events/2024-25/recital/asmik-grigorian-soprano-lukas-geniusas-piano/) presents soprano [Asmik Grigorian](https://www.asmik-grigorian.com/), accompanied by pianist [Lukas Geniušas](https://geniusas.com/)  
[Alfred Hertz Memorial Concert Hall](http://music.berkeley.edu/about-us/resources-and-facilities/performance-spaces/)  
[U.C. Berkeley, 101 Cross-Sproul Path, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA](http://maps.google.com/maps?q=U.C.+Berkeley,+101+Cross-Sproul+Path,+Berkeley,+CA+94704+USA&hl=en)  
3:00 PM, Sunday, December 15, 2024

[[2024-12-01|Back to the previous event!]] ☸ [[:#section2024|Up to the 2024 yearbox!]] ☸ [[:2024#December_events|Up to the 2024 event list!]] ☸ [[2024-12-19|On to the next event!]]

## Set One: Songs of Tchaikovsky

[3:07 PM] {lights down; performers out without any introduction}

All works this set by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)

01. [3:08 PM] _Sred shumnogo bala_ (Amid the din of the ball), Op. 38, No. 3
02. [3:11 PM] _Snova, kak prezhde, odin_ (Again, as before, I'm alone), Op. 73, No. 6
03. [3:13 PM] _Net, tolko tot, kto znal_ (Only one who's known longing), Op. 6, No. 6
04. [3:16 PM] _Sleza drozhit_ (A tear trembles), Op. 6, No. 4  
[3:20 PM] {rousing applause; both performers depart}  
[3:21 PM] {LG returns}
05. [3:22 PM] Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 2
06. [3:28 PM] Scherzo humoristique, Op. 19, No. 2  
[3:32 PM] {applause for LG; AG returns}
07. [3:32 PM] _Blagoslovlyayu vas, lesa_ (I bless you, forests), Op. 47, No. 5
08. [3:37 PM] _Ne sprashivai_ (Do not ask), Op. 57, No. 3  
[3:40 PM] {rousing applause}  
[3:41 PM] {both performers depart, then quickly return for another bow before set break}

## Set Two: Songs of Rachmaninoff

[3:59 PM] {lights down; enter performers}

All works this set by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943)

01. [3:59 PM] _V molchani nochi tainoi_ (In the silence of the secret night), Op. 4, No. 3
02. [4:02 PM] _Ne poi, krasavitsa, pri mne_ (Sing not to me, beautiful maiden) Op. 4, No. 4
03. [4:07 PM] _Ditya! kak tsvetok, ty prekrasna_ (Child, thou art as beautiful as a flower), Op. 8, No. 2
04. [4:09 PM] _Son_ (The Dream), Op. 8, No. 5
05. [4:10 PM] _Vesenniye vody_ (Spring waters), Op. 14, No. 11  
[4:12 PM] {applause at end of first song group; pause for moment or two}
06. [4:13 PM] _O, ne grusti_ (Oh, do not grieve), Op. 14, No. 8
07. [4:17 PM] _Ya zhdu tebya_ (I'm waiting for you), Op. 14, No. 1    
[4:19 PM] {applause; AG+LG off}  
[4:19 PM] {LG returns: applause, then dead air}
08. [4:20 PM] Prelude in G-sharp minor Op. 32, No. 12
09. [4:22 PM] Prelude in D flat, Op. 32, No. 13  
[4:28 PM] {applause; AG returns}
10. [4:29 PM] _Sumerki_ (Twilight), Op. 21, No. 3
11. [4:31 PM] _Zdes khorosho_ (How fair this spot), Op. 21, No. 7
12. [4:33 PM] _My otdokhnyom_ (We shall rest), Op. 26, No. 3
13. [4:36 PM] _Dissonans_ (Dissonance), Op. 34, No. 13  
[4:42 PM] {applause at set end}  
    
**Encore**
14. [4:44 PM] (unidentified tune - probably Rachmaninoff: _Ne ver′ mne, drug!_ (Believe me not, Friend), Op. 14, No. 7)  
[4:46 PM] {final applause}  
[4:48 PM] {show ends}


## Performers

* [Asmik Grigorian](https://www.asmik-grigorian.com/): soprano vox;
* [Lukas Geniušas](https://geniusas.com/): piano.

## Notes

This afternoon was the debut performance of this duo in the Western US -- their first US concert was a stop at Carnegie Hall last Thursday.

First set was terrific! I forgot how loud a soprano can belt: At her peaks, Asmik was a LOT louder than than the piano. Good thing I was over 15 feet away (inverse square ratio to the rescue!). I thought it was kind of funny that the loudest singing was in a song about keeping secrets. 

Set two was also excellent. This isn't the sort of thing I want to hear every day, but when you're in the mood for it, dramatic singing in Russian can be quite moving!

[Program Notes](https://calperformances.org/program-notes/2024-25/asmik-grigorian-soprano-lukas-geniusas-piano/) or {{:2024:2024-12:20241215pn.pdf|program notes}}

Emily Wilson published an interesting [promo](https://www.sfcv.org/articles/review/asmik-grigorian-delivers-russian-songs-drama) article on SFCV after speaking with Asmik.

Nicholas Jones posted a [review](https://www.sfcv.org/articles/review/asmik-grigorian-delivers-russian-songs-drama) of today's show for SFCV that includes a few photos that are far better than my shabby effort.

Joshua Kosman also [chimed in](https://pacificaisle.substack.com/p/thinking-outside-the-bachs#%C2%A7grigorian-chante) with accolades posted on his blog (and another photo from the show, as well as a repeat of one of the SFCV pics).

## Photos

Today's photo gallery comes from ol' squinty!

{{gallery>:2024:2024-12?20241215-*.jpg}}

{{:wip.png?nolink}} **Whoa!** This section is incomplete for now, sorry! {{:wip.png?nolink}}

{{tag>music Asmik_Grigorian Lukas_Geniušas Hertz_Hall }}

[[2024-12-01|Back to the previous event!]] ☸ [[:#section2024|Up to the 2024 yearbox!]] ☸ [[:2024#December_events|Up to the 2024 event list!]] ☸ [[2024-12-19|On to the next event!]]