Georgetown College’s Student–Run Newspaper
March 7, 2018
Volume CXXXVIII Issue 6
Russian String Orchestra performs at Georgetown By EVAN MOORE BackPage Editor On Monday, March 5, the Russian String Orchestra performed in the John L. Hill Chapel. Formerly known as the Kremlin String Orchestra, their conductor is the renowned Misha Rachlevsky. The Orchestra on Monday consisted of a 12-piece string ensemble (six violins, three violas, two cellos and a double bass) that performed four monumental works. Dr. Sonny Burnette introduced them to the small crowd gathered. The Orchestra is in the middle of a short American tour, performing at several venues across Oklahoma, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky and other states. With Dr. Burnette off the stage, the ensemble appeared, followed by Mr. Rachlevsky. The first, Serenade Op. 7 for Wind Instruments, by Strauss, impressed the audience by displaying the orchestra’s technical skill. In dynamic, tempo, and key changes, the ensemble presented themselves through
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the music as true virtuosos on their respective instruments. The balance between loud, fast movements and their soft, slow counterparts (and of course the combinations therein) was magnificent, as is this group’s nature. The second piece was created to show each member of the ensemble in at least one solo (even the double bass). Junior Sophia Allen said, “I thought it was really interesting. The music was pretty, and I liked the change in tempos. The solos were neat-o burrito.” The piece featuring each member in some solo was an epic work composed by a former member of the String Orchestra, Bekmambetov, and was titled “For Misha’s Gang”. The String Orchestra is commonly known as “Misha’s Gang” in Edinburgh, where they performed a concert with the same name. During the intermission, conversations held all around the chapel spoke of the immensity of music already performed. Dr. Pete LaRue
said, “I did not enter into the concert with high expectations because I don’t generally like string orchestras. But they were incredible. I was truly moved by the music.” The ensemble resumed playing with a work by Schnauber. This was another piece showing their dynamic talents. It was composed in memory of a dear friend to Mr. Rachlevsky, Henri Temianka. The last piece was an epic in four parts by Mendellsohn, split by tempo markings. The finale, labelled “Presto,” showed off every instrument to an even greater level than earlier in the concert. At the end, all 12 were standing while playing—even the cellists. The impression the concert left on students was noteworthy, too. Senior Austin Snider said, “It was cool. The instrumentalists were very talented. While I was just there for the Nexus, I was impressed.” Freshman Lauren Parkinson said, “I loved the trios because they showed off their obvious talents. I’ve never
seen anyone that talented on a string instrument. It was the strongest live performance I’ve seen on this campus.” Miles Brandon is a junior that attended the performance. He said, “I loved the show. The thing I enjoyed the most was being able to participate in a
piece of culture that I wouldn’t normally get to experience here at Georgetown.” While only 51 people attended in total, the crowd was massively supportive and gave two standing ovations at the end of the concert.
Kappa Delta hosts annual Shamrock Dinner page 3
MLS kicks of with a bang page 5
HQ Trivia takes over App Store page 8
Opinion: Being an art major isn’t easy page 10
Source: Russian String Orchestra
Russian String Orchestra conductor Misha Rachlevsky leads his 12–member string ensemble.