Innovative idea of the Concord Orchestra. Rock and symphonic music! Innovative idea "Concord Orchestra" Rock hits performed by the Concord Symphony Orchestra
All three shows created by the Concord Orchestra are based on a wide musical range, performance of compositions from memory, dancing with instruments, high technology and maximum contact with the audience.
Times of all kinds of collaborations give rise to radically new solutions in the creation of any art project. As a result, phenomena that are close to everyone are revealed in a new way. The Concord Orchestra brought together many elements that could bring a different perspective to a musical genre that had remained rather conservative for many years. Professional musicians from different regions of Russia and Europe created three original show programs under the direction of Italian conductor Fabio Pirol.
"Symphonic Rock Hits"
The musicians don't sit on chairs - they dance with their instruments, adding true drive to their performance. All movements are choreographed, and thanks to high technology and 3D modeling, the artists can easily realize their difficult task, and in order to realize the whole plan, the symphony orchestra performs all compositions in the new tour as a souvenir and without music stands on stage. In addition, specially designed video installations make the concert truly spectacular, and the main characters in it are rock idols. The Symphonic Rock Hits show program includes covers of songs by Rammstein, Metallica, Linkin Park, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Scorpions, Nirvana, Aerosmith, Depeche Mode, Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Muse, AC/DC and Queen.
December 3, 2017, Ice Palace
"The Snow White Ball of Johann Strauss"
The long-standing European tradition of celebrating New Year and Christmas with the music of Johann Strauss inspired the Concord Orchestra to create a show that included the most popular works of the Austrian composer. Every year in December the orchestra plays “The Imperial Waltz” and “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”, and this time the waltzes “Tales of the Vienna Woods” and “Spring Voices” will be performed by the Mariinsky Theater soloist Larisa Elina. The fabulous atmosphere of the snow-white show is created by dancers - prize-winners of Russia in ballroom dancing. Spectators themselves support the status of the event and come in snow-white outfits. The hall is festively decorated with thousands of snow-white carnations, and this day turns into a real fairy tale.
Upcoming performances in St. Petersburg: December 20, 2017, Oktyabrsky Concert Hall
"Tango of Passion by Astor Piazzolla"
To stage the show, the orchestra invited choreographer Silvio Granda, who has a long career as a dancer, collaboration with Italian, Austrian and Latin American dance companies, as well as the creation of performances at the Astral Theater in his native Argentine capital. The orchestra performs the most popular works of the legendary Astor Piazzolla: Rinascero, Escualo, Oblivion, Adios Nonino, Libertango and concerts from the series “Seasons in Buenos Aires”, and the show itself features tango dancers - winners of the Tango Dance World Championship competition (Argentina), - vocalists Cesar Camargo and Martin Alvarado. The latter, by the way, is compared to Carlos Gardel himself. Traditionally, the concert takes place on the eve of Valentine's Day, and guests in red outfits are given gifts.
CONCORD ORCHESTRA is the world's first dancing symphony orchestra. Professional musicians - students of famous conservatories, famous music academies of Russia and Europe - created a unique project, combining music and dance into a single space.
The orchestra performs under the direction of Italian conductor Fabio Pirola, a representative of one of the most famous musical dynasties in Milan. Fabio brilliantly graduated from the Gaetano Donizetti State Conservatory in Bergamo (Italy), the Claudio Abbado International Music Academy in Milan (Italy) and the Juilliard in New York (USA).
The concerts of the CONCORD ORCHESTRA symphony orchestra are filled with passionate Italian temperament and emotionality.
In 2016, Fabio led a team of gifted, creative, open to experimentation, seeking new forms of creative self-realization, highly professional Russian and European musicians of the CONCORD ORCHESTRA symphony orchestra.
Musicians play the music that inspires them. While dancing, they improvise, the sounds of music turn into plastic patterns, and symphony concerts become bright, original shows. Masterly performance gives a new sound to masterpieces of classical music, folk rock, rock hits, and music from popular films.
Over the course of three years, the orchestra released 3 of its own original programs (“Symphonic Rock Hits”, “Snow White Ball of Johann Strauss”, “Tango of Passion by Astor Piazzolla”), gave more than 300 concerts at iconic music venues in Russia, including 15 concerts in Moscow at stage of the State Kremlin Palace.
The “stars” of rock music, famous chansonniers, and famous opera singers performed together with the orchestra. Among them: Francis Goya and Riccardo Fogli.
In March 2018, joint concerts were held at the main venues in Russia with the legend of world cinema music, French composer Michel Legrand, and in April 2018 with the British musician Ken Hensley, songwriter of the group URIAH HEEP.
The orchestra’s repertoire includes more than 60 of the most popular hits of “rock legends”: Metallica, Linkin Park, Rammstein, Scorpions, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Aerosmith, Depeche Mode, Queen, Bon Jovi, Muse, AC/DC.
The powerful sound of instruments in the hands of professional musicians, the richness of violins, the hard sounds of violas, the charm of cellos, the power of double bass and the rock and roll drive of drums make rock music even more explosive!
In 2017, the orchestra conducted a tour of 44 cities in Russia with a rock program. More than 100 thousand people saw the show. From October to December 2018, the orchestra went on a big tour to 54 cities in Russia. These concerts became a real musical discovery and breakthrough: stunning light, unique video installations, costumes, choreography. Musicians play their favorite tunes by heart.
Classical music is CONCORD ORCHESTRA's first love.
Every December, magic happens: the orchestra throws a ball, a real one - with the enchanting music of Johann Strauss, the magical vocals of the best opera performers of St. Petersburg, and stunning ballroom dancing on stage. Guests wear white to the ball. The stage and hall are always decorated with thousands of white flowers, turning the hall into a snow-white fairy tale.
The show “Johann Strauss' Snow White Ball” is already a tradition. The New Year should be celebrated beautifully. The “Imperial Waltz”, “Viennese Blood”, “An Artist’s Life”, “Thunder and Lightning”, “Easy Blood”, “In Pavlovsk Forest”, “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”, Egyptian March and everyone’s favorite “Radetzky March” are heard from the stage " The orchestra conductor Fabio PIROLA turns his face to the audience and begins to conduct their applause.
The traditional program is dedicated to love and passion. The world stars of Argentine tango perform a choreographic performance on stage in an exciting, temperamental, sensual manner; the bandoneon adds color to the show.
The show's director is the famous dancer and choreographer Silvio GRAND (Argentina). The show features dancers who are prize-winners of the Campeonato Mundial de Baile de Tango and winners of the Tango Dance World Championship competition (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Vocalists - Golden voices of Argentina Cesar Camargo and Martin Alvarado. The program includes the most popular tango works: “Oblivion”, “Adios Nonino”, “Libertango” and concerts from the series “Seasons in Buenos Aires”. Traditionally, the orchestra performs Astor Piazzolla's Tango of Passion program in February, when the whole world celebrates Valentine's Day.
"Concord Orchestra" is a young symphony orchestra that is not afraid to experiment and is actively moving towards its success. It was formed in 2015 in St. Petersburg under the leadership of a young talented conductor from Italy, Fabio Pirola. And now we can say that the group has its own unique style, which sets it apart, and perhaps will allow it to occupy a separate niche on the musical Olympus between show business and symphonic music.
The program “Symphonic Rock Hits”, with which the history of the orchestra begins.
The creators of the orchestra spent exactly a year selecting a repertoire made up of legendary compositions by rock groups Metallica, Linkin Park, Rammstein, Scorpions, Survivor, The Beatles, Led zeppelin, Nirvana, Aerosmith, Depeche Mode, Europe, Steve Vai, Queen, Status Quo, Bon Jovi, Muse, Maroon 5, AC/DC and arranged hits for a classical symphony orchestra. The choice of performers for the Concord Orchestra was also difficult. Indeed, in addition to excellent professional skills, qualities that are unusual for classical performers are required, namely the ability to dance on stage, play without a score, and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to experiment, a crazy touring schedule and the desire to create something new. It was not an easy task, and the young conductor Fabio Pirola handled it perfectly.
After final preparation of the “Symphonic Rock Hits” program, “Concord Orchestra” went on a grand tour of Russia. Forty-three Russian cities are on their tour schedule. Every day the Concord Orchestra gives a concert in a new city. Considering the distances, one can imagine what a physical and emotional burden this is for musicians. Russian audiences appreciated Fabio Pirol's innovative approach to creating the “Symphonic Rock Hits” program, because each concert is accompanied by thunderous applause and enthusiastic words of gratitude on social networks.
The performance of the Concord Orchestra can hardly be called a concert. Rather, it is an unusual, delightful show, where the playing of the orchestra is accompanied by dynamic lighting effects, and the musicians themselves and the conductor are in constant motion. The powerful sound of instruments in the hands of professional musicians: gentle violins, hard sounds of violas, the power of double bass, jazz timbre of saxophones, rock and roll drive of guitars and drums. The moment you see Fabio Pirol conductor's performance in the “Symphonic Rock Hits” program, you get the feeling that you have witnessed something completely incredible. The way he directs the production is not only his extraordinary energy, charisma and musicality, but also the embodiment of a completely new conducting concept. All this makes a fabulous impression on the audience. Some compositions are accompanied by elements of theatrical performances, and this makes them especially memorable. For me it was covers of “Behind blue eyes” by Limp Bizkit and “Enjoy the silence” by Depeche Mode performed by Concord Orchestra.
“Symphonic Rock Hits” is not the orchestra’s only program. “Tango of Passion by Astor Piazzolla” is released in February and is dedicated to all lovers, and “The Snow White Ball of Johann Strauss” is dedicated to the Christmas holidays.
We turned to Concord Orchestra conductor Fabio Pirola and he kindly agreed to answer our questions
:
Let's start with you, Maestro, how did you, a Milanese, end up in Russia?
The first time I came to Russia as a tourist with my family, making a classic week-long tour: St. Petersburg, Moscow and the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia.
Later, I came to St. Petersburg for my first conducting master class with maestro Jorma Panula. I really liked the city and in some ways I realized that I would come back here.
Have you always dreamed of becoming an orchestra conductor? How and when did you realize that this was your path?
I didn't dream of becoming an orchestra conductor. It was a conscious, consistent choice. It was only after graduating as a violinist and working as a professional musician for several years that I realized I could do more and that orchestra management was truly my path.
How the idea of creating "Concord Orchestra"Why did you choose this name?
Concord is derived from the word “concordia”, meaning agreement and harmony. Thus, the word Concord in the name emphasizes that a symphony orchestra can perform any repertoire, including rock. I guess, that
the idea of consent is very important in our turbulent and troubled historical period.
In what year was it founded?
Concord Orchestra»?
The orchestra's second season is now ending. The first concerts took place in the spring of 2016, then the first season (2016/2017) and then a dizzying and successful crescendo of music and busyness.
Your orchestra consists of a fairly large number of musicians who, in addition to excellent command of their instruments, must also have a certain familiarity with dance and the ability to move on stage: traits that are not characteristic of the musicians of a classical symphony orchestra. What are the selection criteria for your team members?
Currently, in Russia, as well as throughout the world, there are no such musicians. Therefore, during casting, I choose talented musicians who love such performances and have a natural predisposition.
Subsequently, I work not only as an orchestra conductor, but also as a psychologist, coach, choreographer, revealing in the musicians more and more kinesthetic and empathic perception, fundamental for shows of this type.
Your tour of Russia is really very eventful: every day there is a new site, and I read that the trip takes place on a bus. What cities or places made the strongest impression on you? And how is the audience different?
First of all, this is the city of Rossosh, where I visited the Museum of the Great Patriotic War. I was moved to see the artifacts of the Alpini army, reminiscent of the 100,000 Italians who died in Russia.
I will never forget the monument in the city center dedicated to the soldiers of Alpini, with the memorable inscription: “From the tragic past, to the friendship of the present and the fraternal cooperation of the future!” It is located opposite the kindergarten, built and donated by the Italians to Russian children.
The public in provincial cities is very emotional and warm, while in big cities it is very strict and demanding. Really different.
How do you manage to concentrate while on tour?
In 2000, in Italy, I took part in my first training “Training a Musician”, conducted by Professor Marco Brazzo. Since then, I have always tried to practice psychological preparation along with musical preparation. This is especially important when the pace of life becomes so frantic and stressful.
Please describe your typical day.
Rise at 7 am, breakfast at 8, 5-6 hours transfer on the bus, lunch, sound adjustment, rehearsal, performance, dinner, transfer to the hotel.
How difficult is it to coordinate such a large team? Do tense moments arise given the daily stress, or does general agreement prevail?
Of course there are many tense, nervous moments, however, this only means that the group consists of living people.
You just need to channel this energy in a constructive direction, using fundamental psychological preparation.
I believe that each theater has its own acoustics, equipment, and stage space: were there any unexpected situations that could hinder the success of the show?
Of course, we need to be able to adapt and optimize space. In addition, the development of kinesthetic and empathic sensation is fundamental. Only in this case can you cope with any situation without panic.
From a technical point of view, there are also different situations, but experienced technical specialists work with us.
What struck you most in Russia?
Beautiful girls! And when they give you flowers at concerts!
Besides, I love nature. Seeing the vast Russian expanses is something special for me.
Which Russian city would you like to live in, and which one would you recommend visiting as a tourist?
I would like to live and live for a long time in St. Petersburg. For tourists, I would advise going to the Russian hinterland and, of course, traveling along the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Which Russian city have you never been to? (which seems impossible given the pace of your tour)?
Unfortunately, I don’t know Siberia much, but we have a tour planned with the orchestra for the spring of 2019. I can't wait for this time!
How is your Russian language?
I understand almost everything, but I would like to speak better, use cases and inflect verbs correctly. This will take a little more time.
Your hobby?
I love the sea and sailing.
What are the most significant differences between Italy and Russia in your field?
In the field of music in Russia there is still the enthusiasm that was in Italy in the 70s and 80s. Everywhere there is a feeling that everything is changing quickly.
I really hope that here in Russia they know how to wisely confront the profound changes that await us in the coming years.
Do you think it would be difficult to offer the same program of performances to an Italian audience?
Yes, that's absolutely right! They say that the taste of the Italian public is the most complex and capricious in the world. All the producers and agents I talk to, and even the Italians, have had significant difficulties working in Italy in recent years.
From your resume I see that you have worked all over the world. Along with Russia, these are Germany, the USA, Great Britain, Bulgaria and even Oman. What is the most useful thing about this experience?
At the educational level, I think Russia, especially St. Petersburg, is undoubtedly the most significant city. Definitely worth living there for a few years!
What advice would you give to a young person who wants to pursue a career as a conductor?
It is an elite profession reserved for the few and will also undergo profound changes in the coming years.
You need to have a great desire and great willpower.
What are your plans for the future?
New performances, tour of Europe and China. Let's cross our fingers and hope everything goes well.
