Russian Accent | Blog of Nadia Sikorsky

The decision of the Music Society of La Chaux-de-Fonds not to cancel the concert by Elisabeth Leonskaja and The Jerusalem Quartet, scheduled for 22 March, has turned what would have been an ordinary cultural event into a victory of reason and professionalism. I will explain why and present an exclusive interview with the outstanding pianist.

Today, bookshops in Switzerland, France, Belgium and Canada will receive the book «Vasyl Stus. Palimpsests. Poetry and Letters from the Gulag» (« Vasyl Stus. Palimpsestes. Poésie et lettre du Goulag »), devoted to the Ukrainian poet whose verses have been translated into French for the first time by the renowned Slavist. Lovers of poetry owe this literary event to the Lausanne publishing house Éditions Noir sur Blanc.

Let me clarify at the outset: this is not about a specific musical composition, but about an ensemble formed just over a year ago which, after a successful debut in Zurich, is now preparing to demonstrate its artistry in Geneva.

The personal relics of the last King of Italy, preserved within the family until today, will be presented to the public in Geneva for the first time. This month, Piguet Hôtel des Ventes will offer at auction a unique collection of orders of chivalry and decorations that belonged to Umberto II (1904-1983). They will be exhibited in the Maison’s salons from 12 to 15 March, before being offered to collectors during the auction week beginning on 16 March.

On 15 March, the outstanding pianist of our time, Evgeny Kissin, will give a recital in Zurich as part of the "Les Grands Interprètes" series presented by the Caecilia agency. The programme may be described as a romantic evolution of the pianistic “self”.

This statement from the Foreword to the poetry collection "How are we meant to survive this", published by Freedom Letters in Russian and English, summarises, in my view, the essence of the collective work of the twenty-six authors represented in it and their eighteen translators. This collection is one of my strongest literary impressions of the past several years.

For four years now, this question, so important to me, has not left the agenda, whether in private conversations, in the international press, or simply in life itself. Allow me to return to the day when I first asked it of myself.

On March 6th, the concert agency Cæcilia presents a recital by the pianist Tsotne Zedginidze, born in 2009. The programme includes works by Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and… by the young musician himself.