Violin virtuosos concerned about future classical music

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

Russian professor and arist Sergey Kravchenko, who prepares for a concert, thinks that young musicians cannot replace the famed names of 20th century.

Russia’s renowned state artist Sergey Kravchenko, who spends most of his time in his house in the southern province of Antalya, complain that young talents prefer to become famous immediately rather than develop their talents as a virtuoso overtime.

The artist thinks well-known figures of the 20th century cannot be replaced by today’s emerging young artists.

Kravchenko has been living in the southern province of Antalya’s Konyaaltı neighborhood for two years. Kravchenko works as a professor for the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in the winter, but travels to Antalya throughout the year for a chance to rest while continuing his artistic works.

The 65-year-old artist also works with the Presidential Symphonic Orchestra in Turkey and recently has been preparing for a concert with the Beykent Symphonic Orchestra to be performed in the coming days.

Speaking about his life in Antalya, the violin virtuoso said that he was impressed by the season of the city most. Despite temperatures in Moscow dropping to 14 centigrade, the artists can enjoy a nice swim in Antalya even in the winter months. “Where else can you get this chance?” he said.

Kravchenko said his only problem living in the city was the language and he had trouble communicating with other people.

Interest in the call to prayer
The sound of the call to prayer surprised Kravchenko the most as he realized that each time it was performed in a different makam, or system of melodic types. “The afternoon prayer is performed by the muezzin stronger than compared to the other prayer times,” he said.

Kravchenko has 28 students in Moscow, but believed young musicians cannot replace the famed names of 20th century.

The artist is hosting the world renowned Lithuanian violin virtuoso Dvarionas at his home this year. He said they attended the same class at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory 47 years ago and have been together since then.

Dvarionas, a professor at the Lithuania Music Academy, said that it was his first time in Turkey, a country which had surprised him. He said that he knew Turkey from history books, the Ottoman Empire and the personality of the founder of the Turkish Republic Atatürk. “I thought that Turkey was a warrior society. But when I came here I saw that they are friendly people. They are also very hardworking people. I am impressed especially by their hospitality,” Dvarionas said.