Tchaikovsky. Rachmaninoff. Mussorgsky. Famous Art Songs.

In Britain, audiences know Eugene Onegin, Swan Lake and Boris Godunov. But the more intimate world of these composers — their songs — remains a hidden treasure, no less rich in beauty and emotional depth than their larger works.

This programme brings together some of the most beautiful and expressive works in the Russian vocal repertoire — from the lyrical, deeply personal songs of Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff to Mussorgsky’s vivid and theatrical cycle Songs and Dances of Death, full of striking imagery and storytelling.

Performed by Efim Zavalny (baritone) and Rebekka Magomedova (piano) — former artists of the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, now based in the UK.

The concert lasts approximately 60 minutes. The music is performed in Russian, with a printed programme and English translations provided throughout. 

A note about the programme

My name is Rebekka, and I am a pianist. Until 2022 I worked in St Petersburg at the Mariinsky Theatre. Like many of my compatriots, my life since then has been divided into a “before” and an “after”.

Since 2024 we have been living in London, trying to preserve the fragile thread that connects us with our native culture and language, while sharing the best of this tradition with British audiences.

We invite you to discover this extraordinary world with us.

Programme

Pyotr Tchaikovsky

• Opened the Window (Op. 63 No. 2)
• Don Juan’s Serenade (Op. 38 No. 1)
• Amidst the Din of the Ball (Op. 38 No. 3)
• Bless You, Forests (Op. 47 No. 5)

Sergey Rachmaninoff

• All Has Been Taken from Me (Op. 26 No. 2)
• A Dream (Op. 8 No. 5)
• Do Not Sing, My Beauty (Op. 4 No. 4)

Modest Mussorgsky – Songs and Dances of Death

• Lullaby
• Serenade
• Trepak
• Field Marshal

The music will be performed in the original Russian. A printed programme with English translations of the texts will be provided.

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