Bach | Beethoven

On December 5, the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory hosted a concert by renowned conductor Philipp Chizhevsky and his ensemble Questa Musica, dedicated to the music of two great classical masters — Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. The “Bach | Beethoven” program featured Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”) and two concertos by Bach — Concerto No. 1 for Harpsichord, Strings and Basso Continuo and Concerto No. 1 for Violin, Strings and Basso Continuo. The soloists that evening were international competition laureates Leonid Zhelezny (violin) and Alexandra Koreneva (harpsichord).

Bach’s Concerto No. 1 in D minor for Harpsichord, Strings and Basso Continuo, BWV 1052, is one of the composer’s most celebrated works. Its profound drama, grand scale and concentrated expressiveness captivate listeners with their emotional intensity and perfection of conception. The three-movement Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041, is another masterpiece of Bach’s oeuvre. The concerto was written during a period when the violin enjoyed particular popularity: its expressive qualities, warm tone, singing sound and resemblance to the human voice made a powerful impression on audiences and continue to captivate listeners today.

The magic of Bach’s music was also deeply appreciated by another genius — Ludwig van Beethoven. His “Eroica” Symphony likewise became a revelation to the entire musical world. “In this symphony … the immense, astonishing power of Beethoven’s creative genius was revealed for the first time,” Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky later wrote. This monumental work ushered in a new era, and Beethoven himself later acknowledged: “I am not entirely satisfied with my previous works; from now on, I intend to take a new path.” In Philipp Chizhevsky’s interpretation, the works of both masters will sound unexpected and fresh: the conductor and his ensemble reinterpret familiar music and, through their bold approach and newly placed accents, “rediscover” these iconic works for the audience.

Philipp Chizhevsky is well known to anyone interested in Moscow’s musical life and major cultural events. A two-time winner of the Golden Mask theatrical award for Best Opera Conductor (2019, 2022) and recipient of the BraVo International Music Award, Chizhevsky is known for performances that combine precision with originality. He graduated from the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory with degrees in Choral Conducting and Opera and Symphonic Conducting. He actively collaborates with contemporary composers, theatre directors, and leading Russian and international orchestras. Since 2014, Philipp Chizhevsky has been a guest conductor at the Bolshoi Theatre.

In 2008, Chizhevsky co-founded the ensemble Questa Musica with Maria Grilikhes. Together, they have participated in numerous major projects in Russia and abroad. The repertoire of this outstanding Russian ensemble, which brings together talented young instrumentalists and singers, encompasses Russian and international classical music, works of the Renaissance and Baroque eras, 20th-century music, and compositions by contemporary composers.