Above: Alexander Sitkovetsky, Wu Qian, Andriana Chuchmann, and Isang Enders; photo by Tristan Cook
~ Author: Oberon
Sunday February 1st, 2026 – Having missed last week’s all-Beethoven program at Chamber Music Society due to the storm, it was lovely to settle into our seats at Alice Tully Hall for an all-Shostakovich program this evening which drew together an ensemble of superb musicians, including a lovely soprano who was new to me: Andriana Chuchmann.
The Sitkovetsky Trio opened the concert with the Trio #1, Op. 8, in C-minor. It’s always a great pleasure to hear – and to watch – these three wonderful players: Alexander Sitkovetsky (violin), Wu Qian (piano), and Isang Enders (cello). The stage lighting – all evening – was particularly impressive.
Composed in 1923, and structured in a single movement, the trio opens in an andante mood; a descending motif, coloured by sorrow, is introduced by the cello. Mr. Enders’ gorgeous tone and soulful expressiveness immediately draws us in, and soon he is exchanging phrases with the silken sound of the Sitkovetsky violin. Ms. Qian, at the Steinway, brings radiant, glowing tones to the mix. Pulsing music turns sprightly, and then things get noisy, with insistent piano rhythms. The opening theme is reprised, only to become more animated as a violin/piano dance springs up. Mr. Enders cello sings over delicate piano phrases, and Mr. Sitkovetsky’s delicious phrases lead on to tempestuous, urgent sounds from the Steinway. Peace is restored; the poignant violin and the meltingly lovely cello entwine. The music becomes epic – cinematic, really – before lapsing into a playfulness that yields to passion.
Ms. Chuchmann, in a ravishing silver-blue gown, then joined the trio for Seven Romances on Poems of Alexander Blok, Op. 127. Again, the lighting of the stage was truly evocative as a heartfelt cello solo introduces the soprano’s clear, lyrical voice is the sad Song of Ophelia. Ms Qian at the Steinway gives a grandiose feeling to Gamayun, the Bird of Prophecy with energetic, almost relentless vocalism from Ms. Chuchmann. A more pensive air leads to some very sweet singing; the song has a somber finish, with four accented notes from the keyboard. Violin and voice blend in We were together (That Troubled Night) which has the feel of a folksong. The soprano’s tonal radiance was especially appealing here, whilst Mr. Sitkovetsky’s violin spun out high, buzzing motifs.
Ms. Qian and Mr. Enders blend beautifully to introduce Ms. Chuchmann’s ardent singing in The City Sleeps (Deep in Sleep). As the remaining three songs – The Storm, Secret Signs, and Music – unfolded, I stopped taking notes, the better to savor the music and the soprano’s inspired renditions, as well as the intrinsic poetry of the playing of the three musicians.
During the interval, a vast array of percussion instruments were set up on the stage in order to give us an opportunity to hear a fascinating chamber arrangement, by Viktor Derevianko, of the Symphony #15, Op. 141.
Viktor Derevianko’s setting of the symphony seems to have had the blessing of the composer, and it was sensationally played this evening by pianist Inon Barnatan, percussionists Ayano Kataoka, Ian Rosenbaum, and Victor Caccese, and a peerless string duo: violinist Paul Huang and cellist Jonathan Swensen. These players made for a performance as fascinating visually as it was musically: watching the choreographed alertness of the percussionists, Mr. Barnatan shifting between grand piano and celesta, and Mssrs. Huang and Swensen’s animated bowing and brotherly camaraderie was truly engrossing, whilst references to Rossini’s GUILLAIME TELL and Wagner’s GOTTERDAMMERUNG teased this opera lover’s ear charmingly.
While it was a challenge to the musicians to sustain a 45-minute work that is normally awash with a wider variety of sonic colours, the ensemble – also having had to endure a coughing fest from audience members during some of the most intriguing musical passages – came thru with flying colours, evoking a house-wide standing ovation as they took their bows:
Above: Ian Rosenbaum, Inon Barnatan, Paul Huang, Ayano Kataoka, Victor Caccese, and Jonathan Swensen; photo by Tristan Cook
~ Oberon
Oberon's Glade 