Scots composer takes St Petersburg post
NewsThe Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan has been named this season’s composer-in residence at the Academic symphony orchestra of the St Petersburg Philharmonia.
Alexander Titov will conduct Russian premieres of two of his works this weekend and MacMillan will conduct a concert of his own music in February. The project has been initiated by the Department of Culture and Education of the British Embassy in Moscow as part of its 2021-22 UK-Russia Creative Bridge programme.
MacMillan says: ‘There are strong Scottish traits in my works, but also an aggressive and forthright tendency with a strong rhythmic physicality, showing the influence of Stravinsky, Messiaen and some minimalist composers.’
Surprised they don’t have him conducting a programme of Burns’ songs on Jan. 25. More Russians apparently celebrate Burns Nights than any other country on earth.
Nice gig.
Interesting, how Muti and VPO going to visit Egypt is a cause for scorn and condemnation, but Sir James MacMillan working in Putin’s Russia is a part of “building a creative bridge”. Some definite double standard is at play here.