Tributes pour in for ‘magician’ Temirkanov
RIPThe funeral ceremonies for conductor Yuri Temirkanov will take place on November 5, 2023 in the Great Hall of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, from 11.00. Here are some of the sad reactions to his passing.
Concertmaster Madeline Atkins: The world has lost one of its greatest musical magicians: Yuri Temirkanov (1938-2023). During my first month in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, we played Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet, and even as a fresh-faced and mostly clueless 22-year-old, I knew that it was the most magical and powerful R+J I would ever play in my life. I feel so fortunate to have had six years with him. It was truly life-changing.
Ivan Stefanovic, BSO associate principal second violin: Yuri Temirkanov, in his relatively short time here in Baltimore, completely changed the way this orchestra plays, listens to, and breathes music. He’s the only conductor I know who’d frequently stop in the middle of a rehearsal, obviously thinking about saying something, and then think better of it and do the same passage again while conducting differently, taking the responsibility for how it came out on himself. And conducting is too simple a word for the magic he created with his arms.
I am one of those people who easily sheds tears while listening to moving music (or watching an emotional movie), but there is usually way too much happening on stage and in my brain for that to occur while I am also performing it. And yet, when Yuri would hold tension in let’s say a Mahler Symphony for a half an hour at a time, finally releasing it near the end, I found myself frequently not being able to see my music because of tears in my eyes.
He will live on forever in many concert halls around this planet.
Critic Tim Page (Washington Post obituary): Mr. Temirkanov was known for his expansive and colorful performances of Russian music and especially of the works of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich, the last of whom he worked with personally.
Like past masters such as Leopold Stokowski and Pierre Boulez, Mr. Temirkanov never used a baton, believing that he could lead more precisely without one. He was never much for podium glamour, preferring the role of master facilitator working among colleagues, letting the musicians play within a controlled but unfettered framework.
At times, he made an unusual motion with his left hand, wriggling it around as if shaking off a residue of water, but he always kept his right hand steady and exact — a combination that was fascinating to watch.
Concertgoer Rachel Montesino Young: On a good day the level of imagination, virtuoso technique, colour, brilliance, soul, power, wit and vivacity was breathtaking and Temirkanov seemed to be nothing less than a masterful sorcerer conjuring magic from the music and musicians.
You never hear concerts like this in London any longer, music making from the dying days of a different time.
TV producer Simon Broughton: I worked with him several times as director on BBC TV projects. First a brief history of the Leningrad Phil, but most extensively on a film about Tchaikovsky for BBC Great Composers in 1997. We filmed several rehearsal sequences which were quite insightful. He was, I think, mistrustful at first but when he became convinced we were serious he was fantastic. He had a superb affinity with that orchestra and a total knowledge of the music. His gravelly voice was fantastic in interview and his insights into Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique brilliant. I remember a perf of Tchaik 5 where the finale was like a complete precursor of Shostakovich 5 in its relentless optimism. He was quite a character and a real master.
Conductor Andrei Boreyko: Big Master is gone. He was one of the very last from the generation of real maestros.
Pianist Maria Meerovitch: Our Yuri Khatuevich Temirkanov passed away… it’s something so painful for us, with childhood spent surrounded by his incredible talent and humanity …
Nothing from the RPO? And the dozens of London musicians who worked with him?
RPO website has a post, and also:
“The RPO will announce in due course a concert dedicated to the memory of Maestro Temirkanov. More details to follow.”
I have just heard the very sad news of the passing of Yuri Temirkanov.
I am profoundly sorry as his departure means a permanent loss to the musical world.
He was a very great musician and I owe so much to his inspiring direction and superb collaboration during the many concerts we gave together.
I first worked with him in 1982, playing Beethoven Piano Concerto 3 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and I was amazed by his incredible qualities and his hypnotic ability to mesmerise the orchestra with his intentions, which were always at the service of the music and never for egotistical show. Since that first concert with him, he generously invited me to give around fifty more concerts with him in different countries and we worked with a large variety of different composers and musical styles. He was instantly at home with all of them and the instinctive, powerful force he transmitted between the orchestra and myself was always tempered with a controlled, benevolent nature not to mention a keen sense of humour!
He was a truly remarkable and unique conductor and I know we shall not see his irreplaceable qualities in combination again.
This news of Yuri heralds the end of a wonderful musical era and I for one shall greatly miss his masterful collaborations and friendship.
Yura was much loved by the RPO.
I made many recordings with Yura with both the St. Petersburg Orchestra and RPO. Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Brahms, Berlioz. All impeccably well prepared and with an individual warmth + magic. Wonderfully crafted dynamics and phrasing.
Sad news. So many recordings sound generic and AI generated – never that way with Temirkanov. If you have a moment listen to his Lieutenant Kije and try not to smile.
He used to work occasionally with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, certainly in the 90s, when I was often there as an extra. He never played the big maestro card and I remember him directing Shostakovich 6 and making me feel at ease in all the awkward solos. He allowed you to play with great freedom, which players certainly welcomed. A sad loss to the music world.
One more tribute, from the critic Tim Smith, who covered Temirkanov’s entire Baltimore tenure: http://bytimsmith.com/f/remembering-yuri-temirkanov-magical-musician-and-mensch
Such an extraordinarily expressive musician with the most communicative hands I’ve ever seen. And very unusual bowing in Sibelius 2 – fabulous. I worked at the LA Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra & Aspen Music Festival and will never forget his concerts. Plus he was always such a wonderful spirit. Sad news for the world
Every concert I heard with him and the St Petersburg Philharmonic was a treasure. He led his musicians with grace, elegance and respect for them and the music, Little is known about his help, empathy and encouragement to his musicians when they were suffering difficulties in their lives. He was a special person. And I along with many will miss him.
I was in the London Symphony Chorus when we did Babi Yar with Temirkanov in 2008/2009. A wonderful interpretation from a fantastic musician. In rehearsals he showed warmth, kindness, good-naturedness, all attributes of Temirkanov that I will always remember. RIP.
One of the things none of the tributes has mentioned is his gloriously warm basso profundo speaking voice. His musicianship will be missed.