The score mixes Rachmaninoff with various modern composers. Two haunting Rachmaninoff songs, beautifully performed by mezzo-soprano Lin Shi and pianist Christophe Barwinek, were the musical highpoints. This was not least because they were live.

s.a.: https://issuu.com/hkartsfestival/docs/2018hkaf_annakarenina_hp

In der gut zweieinhalb Stunden dauernden Aufführung präsentieren die Zürcher Tänzerinnen und Tänzer zusammen mit der Mezzosopranistin Lin Shi und ihrem Korrepetitor und Pianist Christophe Barwinek nicht nur die tragische Geschichte von Anna Karenina, sondern auch ihr ganzes Können. Dafür werden sie am Ende lautstark gefeiert, das Hongkonger Publikum ist begeistert!

http://www.smartec.com/projekte/public-event/artikel/ballett-zuerich-am-hongkong-arts-festival/

Musically, some of the most poignant moments are handed to Levin – Rachmaninov’s depressing Op. 26-12 Noch’ pechal’na (The Night is Sad) was rendered when he was rejected by Kitty. Vandebeek’s possibly unintended fall to the ground towards the end of Levin’s solo weighed even more somberly on that destitute moment. Levin’s music upon his first return to the farms was the contemplative Rachmaninov’s Ne poy, krasavitsa! (No not sing, my beauty), Op. 4-4. Both songs were beautifully sung by Li Shi, to the fine and dreamy piano accompaniment of Christophe Barwinek. These two watershed musical moments are where the ballet production is also weakest – the drama seems completely driven by music and voice, and not necessarily by Spuck’s choreography or stage direction. By giving more prominence to other characters, the ballet company has more slots to show off its talent, but at the expense of finding time to fully develop each character to its full dramatic capacity. The impossible task of trying to explain Tolsoy’s masterpiece with totality remains unfulfilled, but Spuck can certainly not be faulted for the lack of trying.

The rating mixes Rachmaninoff with numerous trendy composers. Two haunting Rachmaninoff songs, superbly carried out by mezzo-soprano Lin Shi and pianist Christophe Barwinek, have been the musical highpoints. This was not least as a result of they have been stay – the recorded rating suffered from poor sound high quality.

s.a. https://issuu.com/hkartsfestival/docs/2018hkaf_annakarenina_hp