Top Russian cellist Vadim Pavlov chats exclusively to Iggy Fenech about his highly-anticipated, upcoming performance at the Mediterranean Conference Centre during the From Russia with Music concert.
“I am often asked why I took up the cello, and the reason is simple: its very nature, with its rich sound that is deep, vibrant, suitable to convey strong emotions and imitate the human voice, attracts me.”
Such is the passion with which leading Russian cellist Vadim Pavlov speaks about his instrument of choice – an instrument which he plays, teaches and experiments with.
“I’m a 360-degree cellist,” he tells me. “I like playing alternative music, such as jazz; I form part of the Italian Ensemble, which aims to spread Italian music throughout the world; and I enjoy playing baroque with original instruments.”
Vadim’s relationship with the cello is one that is rooted deep in his childhood. He first took up the cello when he was just six years old. He was under the tutelage of Professor Emanuel Fishman, who taught the likes of other world-renowned cellists including Mischa Maisky and Boris Pergamenschikow, among others.
After graduating from the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in St Petersburg, Vadim started working at the historic Mariinsky Theatre before becoming the assistant to the famous Maestro Valentin Berlinsky at the Gnessin Academy in Moscow. But his solo career really kicked off a few years later, when he became a concert soloist with the Philharmonic Society of Krasnodar.
“In 1990 I moved to Italy, where I still live today,” he adds. “Since then I have performed solo and chamber in more than 40 countries around the world. I am also a teacher of cello at the Conservatory of F. Cilea of Reggio Calabria.”
Moreover, Vadim is a recording artist, who has recently released Piatti: 12 Caprices – Khachaturian: Sonata-Fantasia, a compilation of the most significant works by cellist and composer Carlo Alfredo Piatti. Some of the works on this compil-ation have seldom been recorded, thus making it an important and crucial step in safeguarding the works of Piatti and ensuring its accessibility for both music-lovers and future generations.
Now Pavlov is gearing up for his upcoming, one-off performance here in Malta during the From Russia with Music concert, which is being organised by the Mediterranean Conference Centre in collaboration with the European Foundation for the Support of Culture.
An artist’s life is always eventful, but the most important thing is to keep improving!
The concert will also see the Urals State Chamber Orchestra of Chelyabinsk ‘Klassika’ taking to the stage. The Urals will be under the baton of Maltese conductor Alexei Galea Cavallazzi, who, given his concert engagements in Russia and being the only Maltese national to have completed the full undergraduate piano course at the Moscow State Conservatoire, was awarded the Union Federation Medal by the Russian Parliament for his contribution to culture.
The programme for the night will include pieces from both Russian and European composers, including Bach/Stokowski, Haydn and Mozart. The Dimijtri Shostakovich Chamber Symphony, a sombre work the composer created to reflect the destruction he saw when visiting Dresden in Germany after World War II, will also be included.
“This will be my first time in Malta. I must say I’m very excited and happy to perform to an audience whose country has such important historical and cultural traditions,” says Pavlov.
Following this concert here, the cellist will go on to perform with his regular partner, British pianist Alistair Sorley, before heading off to tour Japan. He is also scheduled to perform Strauss’s Don Quixotte with the Orchestra of the Teatro Massimo in Bellini, Catania, as well as other performances in his home country.
“An artist’s life is always eventful, but the most important thing is to keep improving!” he concludes.
Vadim’s performance during From Russia with Music will be one of a number of classical music performances organised by the Mediterranean Conference Centre, which Russian pianist Mikhail Lindsky and Brazilian violinist Alessandro Borgomanero have already been a part of.
Tickets to From Russia with Music on September 29 can be purchased from www.mcc.com.mt or by telephone on 2559 5750.