The dream of a "Salzburg" of Eastern Europe

What connects the city of Bern on the Aare with the Black Sea metropolis of Odessa? Nothing, unless you consider the "Odessa Classics in Bern" concert held at the Yehudi Menuhin Forum as part of the Ukrainian Culture Days. Alongside violinist Michael Guttmann and cellist Samuel Justitz, Ukrainian pianist Alexey Botvinov sits at the grand piano and plays in such a way that it is immediately clear: Someone has a mission here - Odessa Classics. The pianist, who often makes guest appearances in Switzerland and has been an indispensable pillar of many ballets by choreographer Heinz Spoerli (Goldberg variations) was and is tirelessly committed to the festival in his home town.

Photo: Odessa Classics

Festival director Alexey Botvinov

The now 54-year-old musician founded it at a time when the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine was flaring up, which continues to this day. "Suddenly the war was there. Nobody could have imagined it," says Botvinov, speaking of his anger and inner protest, but also of his pain and grief over the many people who died. "At the time, I thought to myself: What can I do to counter the war and the terrible situation that is unsettling everyone?" Music! "Friends did say to me: What you're imagining with your festival is completely unrealistic." But Botvinov got the Odessa Classics festival off the ground, which was primarily funded by private individuals, but now also by the city of Odessa and the region. It was successfully staged for the first time in 2015. The initial four festival days have now grown to nine. "But I want to expand even further - to two or maybe even three weeks," emphasizes Botvinov and dreams of "a Salzburg for Eastern Europe". This doesn't seem unrealistic at all when you consider the growing number of visitors who come from places like Kiev, Kharkiv, Lviv (Lemberg) and, increasingly, from abroad.

Those traveling to Odessa from Western Europe may be surprised to find the same artists and ensembles in the playful Mediterranean port city as in their home country. In the recent past, these have included Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengorov, Dimitri Ashkenazy, Antonio Meneses and Matthias Goerne; this year, you will encounter pianists Cyprien Katsaris and Pietro De Maria, violinist Daniel Hope, the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and the Mischa Maisky Trio. A glance at the program shows that a large number of works by Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Vivaldi and Gershwin will be performed. Tango Sensations but also compositions by Piazzolla, Lipesker and Bernstein. Roby Lakatos and his ensemble reinforce the impression of a festival that offers much for many. So just standard repertoire? "No," says Alexey Botvinov, "we are also dedicating an entire evening to the contemporary Georgian composer Gija Kantscheli. He now lives in Antwerp, but is keen to come to Odessa."

Photo: Odessa Classics

Daniel Hope (right) is Artist in Residence

If you want to understand the meaning of Odessa Classics, the pianist emphasizes again and again, you should never forget one thing: "Ukraine became independent in 1991. But since then, no great artists from abroad have come to our country. Artists and composers who have long been known to Western Europeans are often not familiar to Ukrainians, which also applies to a composer like Erwin Schulhoff, for example. That's why I have to try to maintain a balance between the known and the unknown. Stars are very important for our audience. They have missed them in the recent past; now they should be able to get to know them." One of them is Daniel Hope, who will be Artist in Residence at Odessa Classics for three years.

As part of an extra series with highly talented young Ukrainian musicians under the motto "Pilgrims", specialties such as the concert "Mirror in the Mirror" with works by Arvo Pärt and Max Richter will be cultivated. A youth music competition will also be organized. In addition to a cash prize, the winner will also have the opportunity to perform at the free open-air festival at the foot of the Potemkin Stairs, which director Sergei Eisenstein depicted in his film Battleship Potemkin world-famous. In short: Alexey Botvinov is attempting a balancing act with Odessa Classics. On the one hand, he wants to appeal to "the local audience, who love and understand music", and on the other, to a Western European audience.

Photo: Odessa Classics

Concert at the Potemkin Stairs

In addition to the main concerts in the magnificently renovated Opera House and the Philharmonic Hall, the main attraction is Odessa, the port city founded by Catherine the Great in 1794, with its eastern charm and southern flair. The history of today's metropolis of millions has traditionally been shaped by many peoples, religions and art. Alexander Pushkin once said: "In Odessa, you breathe Europe." Without the inspiring effect of this city, would the poet ever have written his verse novel Eugene Onegin would have written? But Odessa is also the home of legendary violinists such as David Oistrakh, Nathan Milstein and Zakhar Bron, and no less legendary pianists such as Emil Gilels, Svyatoslav Richter and Shura Cherkassky.

Yes, Odessa is irresistible, says Alexey Botvinov. Even he is constantly surprised by the special atmosphere of his home city. During the festival period, especially at the open-air concert: "When I look up at the 10,000 spectators on the steps of the Potemkin Staircase, it's an incomparable experience every time."