Cal Performances presents soprano Asmik Grigorian, accompanied by pianist Lukas Geniušas
Alfred Hertz Memorial Concert Hall
U.C. Berkeley, 101 Cross-Sproul Path, Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
3:00 PM, Sunday, December 15, 2024

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

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

1. [3:08 PM] Sred shumnogo bala (Amid the din of the ball), Op. 38, No. 3
2. [3:11 PM] Snova, kak prezhde, odin (Again, as before, I'm alone), Op. 73, No. 6
3. [3:13 PM] Net, tolko tot, kto znal (Only one who's known longing), Op. 6, No. 6
4. [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}
5. [3:22 PM] Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 2
6. [3:28 PM] Scherzo humoristique, Op. 19, No. 2
   [3:32 PM] {applause for LG; AG returns}
7. [3:32 PM] Blagoslovlyayu vas, lesa (I bless you, forests), Op. 47, No. 5
8. [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}

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

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

1. [3:59 PM] V molchani nochi tainoi (In the silence of the secret night), Op. 4, No. 3
2. [4:02 PM] Ne poi, krasavitsa, pri mne (Sing not to me, beautiful maiden) Op. 4, No. 4
3. [4:07 PM] Ditya! kak tsvetok, ty prekrasna (Child, thou art as beautiful as a flower), Op. 8, No. 2
4. [4:09 PM] Son (The Dream), Op. 8, No. 5
5. [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}
6. [4:13 PM] O, ne grusti (Oh, do not grieve), Op. 14, No. 8
7. [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}
8. [4:20 PM] Prelude in G-sharp minor Op. 32, No. 12
9. [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}

• Asmik Grigorian: soprano vox;
• Lukas Geniušas: piano.

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 or program notes

Emily Wilson published an interesting promo article on SFCV after speaking with Asmik.

Nicholas Jones posted a review of today's show for SFCV that includes a few photos that are far better than my shabby effort.

Joshua Kosman also chimed in with accolades posted on his blog (and another photo from the show, as well as a repeat of one of the SFCV pics).

Today's photo gallery comes from ol' squinty!

Whoa! This section is incomplete for now, sorry!

Back to the previous event! ☸ Up to the 2024 yearbox! ☸ Up to the 2024 event list! ☸ On to the next event!