Text: Natalia Orlova-Obolenskaya TALENTED MUSICIAN, SUCCESSFUL PRODUCER, GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY "M PREMIERE" EVGENY FROZ enters the circle of enthusiasts who help to raise the level of culture in OE. FOR 10 YEARS IT HE REPRESENTS IN THE ARAB EMIRATES THE UNPRECEDENTED PROJECT - "RUSSIAN SEASONS IN DUBAI". CONCERTS AND EVENINGS OF POPULAR AND CLASSICAL MUSIC, CONSTITUTING THE GOLDEN FUND OF DOMESTIC EXECUTIVE ART.
In connection with the anniversary, I want to recall another of your powerful project "World Classical Music Series". He very successfully, in my opinion, complements the "Russian Seasons", presenting a huge layer of stunning Russian classics and world-class virtuosos. One of them is violinist Maxim Fedotov, who, along with pianist Galina Petrova, will give the only concert in Dubai one of these days - the best of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Borodin ...
Eugene: Really. January 16 will be the first concert of this series. And we managed to start with the performance of Russian artists. Maxim Fedotov prepared a very bright and virtuoso program. Several pieces by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky will be performed, which are included in the treasury of the world musical performing art on the violin. Also, fragments from the Rimsky-Korsakov suite, music by Mussorgsky and Borodin will be heard. True, the beginning of the concert is more classical. In the first section we will hear the legendary “Devil Trills” by Giuseppe Tartini, a famous Italian composer and violinist. One of the most famous works in the history of music.
Very difficult to execute ...
Eugene: Yes, quite complicated. A masterpiece of the violin world music treasury! But there will also be several arrangements for violin and piano ... Colorful and picturesque pieces from Mussorgsky's suite Pictures from the Exhibition.
Including everyone’s beloved “Huts on Chicken Legs” (Baba Yaga) ... By the way, the place where the concert will be held is very beautiful and with very good acoustics - the One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel. It is important to note that we are doing this project together with the Dubai Concert Committee and with the support of the Dubai Calendar.
A worthy start to the year and a very serious application for cooperation! Is this your first collaborative experience?
Eugene: Yes, with this organization. Although the DCC has long held concerts. And I quite sharply criticized this activity in previous years. There was not always a high level of performance. But they managed to convince them to do concerts at a higher level. And invite such stars as Maxim Fedotov and Galina Petrova. And also explain that viewers should buy tickets. The high art of musicians who have traveled a long, difficult and stressful journey should be worthy of being paid. And not only at the expense of art lovers, donations and fees! Spectators should pay, since they want and consider it necessary to go to such events. And even though the number of such viewers will initially be small, they will know why they came and what they paid for. DCC approved my ideas and decided to conduct a joint series of concerts.
You have touched upon a very important topic that you need to talk about today. The UAE is a young country with a rich heritage, which, for example, Russia and Europe are proud of, is not here. And the Emirates - and this clearly shows your cooperation and your first grand project with DCC - it is very important to absorb art, especially musical art, at a high level, in first-class performance and in significant doses ...
Eugene: You know, as a musician, I was especially offended when I watched a large number of events and all kinds of musical acts with the participation of low-level artists. Sometimes they were even world-famous artists, whose professionalism left much to be desired.
The same commercially successful Selena Gomez or Britney Spears. These are just people who, in the understanding of singing and vocals, cannot sing.
But at the same time they have successful programs, record albums, do great shows and gather thousands of halls, earning millions at concerts.
Recently, a very dangerous trend has appeared - a distortion of the taste of individuals and even nations! Anti-art and anti-music are imposed. Therefore, my task and the task of people who have upbringing and music education and who are engaged in similar activities, is not to criticize others and existing genres of art, but to educate.
Does political correctness win again?
Eugene: Everything has a right to life! Surely, the same Gomez with her little song about love could open the hearts of some young girls and guys. Perhaps they even become better related to each other. We are not allowed to see the results of such activities! But God forbid that something good happened to all these singers!
But let all these boys and girls know about the existence of classical music - a very important component of world culture. And let it be high-level music. For example, singer Michael Bolton, who remains a pop star all his life, but at the same time possesses magnificent vocals and performs jazz pieces and classical arias! The concerts of such an artist are always filled with the highest musical content ...
And is it the music of high vibrations that can heal and fill with spiritual energy?
Eugene: And let’s take, for example, the jazz improvisations of El Jerro or the performances of the German Gregorian choir, who sings rock, creating original interpretations of medieval Gregorian choirs. This is all a classic that is very interesting and deliciously served! You are invited to a synthesis of music, art and high technology, medieval culture and modern musical traditions and great live singing with powerful instrumental accompaniment, coupled with computer processing of sound and special effects. The absolute alternative to pop music!
I am sure that the elite of Dubai understands the role of world cultural heritage in the artistic and aesthetic education and upbringing of the nation. Especially the younger generation. Prestigious watches, cars, clothes ... All these are transient values. It is much more important to preserve and increase cultural identity and to adequately represent the country in the global cultural space ...
Eugene: At one time I spent a lot of time debating with organizations such as Dubai Calendar, Dubai World Trade Center ... This is all one state system. And every time I gave examples. Like, an opera house was opened in Oman.
And thanks to the state subsidized system, the best representatives of different genres of classical musical art come there. And I kept saying all these years that, for example, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra opened in Qatar (it was created in 2008, consists of 101 musicians and is called upon to promote the musical culture in Qatar and beyond, - approx. Ed.). And that there was a very big competition, which brought together musicians from all over the world, and that today he is actively giving concerts at a very high performing level.
And that popular artists and leading conductors come to perform with this orchestra. And he did not become a commercial enterprise, but is the brightest musical unit of the region and is fully supported and financed by the state!
I also constantly told officials that Dubai and the Emirates simply had no choice.
And in order not only to be considered a tourist mecca and a place with the most luxurious buildings, roads and shops (in this, the UAE has certainly succeeded and are ahead of the rest!), And to rise to the highest cultural and musical level, you need to do classical concerts and festivals. Thinking about your own orchestra. And finally, start the construction of the opera house.
Although in Abu Dhabi, for example, the situation in this regard is much better than in Dubai, because there is the Abu Dhabi Festival with a luxurious program, and for a long time there was a wonderful and temporarily suspended "Abu Dhabi Classic". I think that not without my definite participation, changes have finally begun to take place recently.
Since you are inviting viewers to a classic concert with DCC, the ice has clearly broken!
Eugene: Together with the Dubai Calendar and the Dubai World Trade Center, we are preparing a series of concerts "Dubai Classic". The program opens with an actress and performer of popular music, soprano Sarah Brightman. I also heard that the experience with the Qatar orchestra was not without attention. And that a decision has already been made - the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority will soon be engaged in the formation of the Dubai National Symphony Orchestra. At the same time, the construction of the opera house began in 2013 and, they say, that by 2015 everything will be completed!
I think that very soon we will all take part in some interesting and big events under the appropriate roof. And in Dubai, finally, there will be a hall in which it will be possible to hold serious and large classical concerts.
Congratulations! And we will wait for the invitation ... What are you planning to show from jazz?
Eugene: With jazz - a more difficult situation. To do jazz concerts of Russian performers for the Russian public is not the format. And our other projects represent international jazz stars in the UAE. For example, as I said, in our portfolio there is a concert of El Jerro, the greatest jazz vocalist, seven-time winner of the Grammy award (and the only jazz singer in history who received Grammy in three different nominations - "Jazz", "Rhythm & Blues" and "Pop ", - Ed.), he is in the" top ten "of the best and his" star "adorns the Hollywood Walk of Fame ... But just a jazz concert does not work! Economically, it is very difficult.
What about a jazz party ... Anything like the Great Gatsby?
Eugene: It looks very good on the screen. But do some kind of concept here. It makes no sense. Although there are big projects such as Michael Buble (Canadian singer-songwriter, one of the main contemporary performers of the repertoire of "The Great American Songbook", winner of several Grammy and Juno Awards, works in the traditional pop pop-jazz style - approx. ) Again, all these are big international projects. Jazz, pop, classic.
Perhaps Larisa Dolina could adequately represent Russia in one of these projects?
Eugene: Yes, there were thoughts of inviting the Valley. But in what composition? And what concert? So far I have not decided. And opinions were divided. For example, someone says that she will gladly go to her performance, and someone does not quite understand what she sings. Everyone knows that Larisa Dolina is a great vocalist! However, she has not so many songs that have become hits.
It is a pity that with such a divine voice there is no worthy repertoire.
Eugene: Yes, about the Russian-speaking repertoire of Dolina - not as a jazz singer, but as a popular performer - there are big doubts. She is undoubtedly a great singer and star of Russian and foreign pop. And as a jazz singer, she sings at the level of world stars. Legrand values her very highly. And the same El Gerro sang with pleasure with her. In Moscow they performed three famous compositions. And even recorded a video clip "Roof Garden". Incidentally, Jerro and I talked a lot about the Valley. And he spoke very warmly and enthusiastically about her.
"The high art and education of world-class musicians who have traveled a very long, difficult and stressful journey must be adequately paid for"
In connection with Legrand, the question arises about Tamara Gverdtsiteli. Are you going to invite her to the "Russian Seasons in Dubai"?
Eugene: There were such thoughts. But I also do not quite understand the repertoire. As a person versed in art, I am interested in bringing Tamara Gverdtsiteli. She made a strong appearance in the project "Two Stars" together with Dmitry Dyuzhev. By the way, we are familiar with him. And I even thought of inviting him with Tamara, especially since Dmitry loves to relax here. In the wake of "Two Stars" I wanted to gather viewers ... But time passed. And here is a very sophisticated audience. And only successful or very successful projects are needed.
What is the principle of your choice of artists?
Eugene: The most difficult thing in our business is to make a decision. And it’s always a lottery. I played the violin in Dubai for a long time. For people who are today the main audience at our concerts and gala evenings (the Evgeny Morozov Quartet is considered the most popular musical group in Dubai, performs classical, jazz and pop improvisations and provides accompaniment in different styles to the stars playing in the UAE - from Nikolai Noskov and Engelbert Humperdink to El Jerro, - approx.ed.). I offered a lot of different music. I tried to understand what I like, what I don't like. Sometimes I guessed, sometimes not. But so far the most difficult thing in my activity is choosing the theme of the evening, because the internal confrontation between the manager, businessman and musician remains a painful process for me. Often, when musical trends, musical preferences or addictions prevail over a more prudent decision, the results are not the best from a commercial point of view. Although they are all beautiful - in the artistic, musical and creative terms!
So for the success of the project sober calculation is important? But it seems to me that the commercially successful Roxette concert was nevertheless made from the heart!
Eugene: In general, yes. The Roxette project was a kind of synthesis of commerce and musical preferences. And that era was close to me, and the group had not been on a large public tour for a long time. Here, the economic component did not contradict desires! And, for example, Engelbert Humperdinck’s concert was more inspired by my mother.
It was she who at one time opened for me artists Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. And I decided that it would be great to organize a creative intersection with one of them. I naturally brought my mom. She saw Engelbert, spent some time with him, received gifts, CDs, photographs. And the biggest gift for her was my performance with Humperdinck of the old ballad "My Funny Valentine". By the way, during his 50-year career, he never allowed spontaneous performance with a non-band musician. He even emphasized this. But we played together. And it was very nice. Him, me and everyone who listened to us. I hope I did not disappoint him!
And what is Kirkorov going to you with? Will there be surprises?
Eugene: Of course! By the way, we argued for a long time, inviting Philip. The last two years, his show “The Other” has been very popular - interesting technical and graphic effects, beautiful choreography, luxurious costumes. But in a version adapted for our stage conditions, the show with triumph took place in January last year at the Burj Al Arab hotel. Therefore, we decided to do a live concert - "Philip Kirkorov. The best". About 20 dancers are traveling. Screens will be used - everything that is possible for this kind of show. The program is large, extensive and very bright. It will be just two nights at the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Concerts, of course, are dedicated to the 10th anniversary of "Russian Seasons in Dubai". And as part of the concerts, we will be doing a beautiful full-fledged fashion show at Braschi House.
Following the Kirkorov show is a concert by Meladze. There is a certain intrigue in this. You do a show of stars in a row, which, for example, in Moscow, an impresario can represent at least a month apart! How did you do it? Eugene: Of course, there is some risk. And there is a serious challenge for the team. It’s hard to work on two completely different events at once. But in 2013 we already had two concerts in a row - the evening of Elena Vaenga and the creative evening of Joseph Kobzon. All three gala evenings were also held at the same venue. Kirkorov and Meladze will speak one after another at the Burj Al Arab hotel. But I am sure that we will have enough time and opportunities to attract the maximum number of spectators to both concerts. Those who like Philip will be happy to come to his show, those who do not accept his work will go to Meladze. But most viewers, I am sure, will find the opportunity to attend both events.Philip, as the most stylish star of the national stage, will present a fashion show during the show ...
And what does Meladze cook?
Eugene: Valera - the premiere of a new song. And together with Konstantin Meladze, he revises a number of musical arrangements for already known hits. In the new version, everything will also sound for the first time in Dubai. And the music of Kostya performed by Valery is always beautiful and very interesting. You never get tired of this duet! In addition, the audience appreciates the kind and intimate atmosphere of his concerts.
Do not want to invite the "Brilliant"?
Eugene: No. I look at VIA Gro. Firstly, the work of Konstantin Meladze is closer and more interesting. And secondly, the girls are interested to see what kind of new VIA Gra there is. Men are also curious to understand how current artists differ from previous ones. And viewers who like creativity will come to listen to their favorite songs.
Who else are you calling for an anniversary?
Eugene: We plan the arrival of beatboxer Vakhtang (winner of the Muz-TV Prize in 2013 in the nomination for the best duet with Valery Meladze, president of the Bitbox Federation motivating for a healthy lifestyle - approx.ed.).
Unfortunately, the duet of Nepar broke up, which I, as an artist, really liked. But maybe I will invite singer Alexander Shaw to one of our events. We also want to bring Zemfira. and Ocean of Elsa. There is also an idea to show the brightest stars of the Voice project. I already spoke with the producer of the project. Everyone is ready, especially since the finale is coming soon. The guys from the Voice project have good vocal skills and very dynamic performances. However, whether they will appear in Dubai solo or come as part of a large project, I will not specify. In general, I would like to call artists who have already left a bright mark in the UAE. For example, the A-Studio group is a frequent guest of our private events and concerts. And I just love Soso Pavliashvili, so he will definitely take part in one of our projects!
Probably Andries Liepa will come to visit?
Eugene: He always comes together with Ilse. With "Russian Seasons XXI Century" (project of the Maris Liepa Charitable Foundation, SAV Entertainment and the Kremlin Ballet Theater, - Ed.). They have great one-act ballets. The Blue God (Reynaldo Khan in the version of Alexander Scriabin and choreography of Wayne Igling, ed.) And The Firebird (Igor Stravinsky in the choreography of Mikhail Fokin, ed.). I hope we overcome this, especially since Liepa has already called.
Is there a successful mix of heart and head?
Eugene: Of course, for example, the very concerts of Spivakov can hardly be called commercial.
And I am glad that in due time all this took place! Today we are preparing a series of classical concerts. And God willing, Vladimir Spivakov and the orchestra will take part in them again. By the way, this year he will be 70 years old and the "Virtuosos of Moscow" celebrate his 35th birthday
I have already discussed the possibility of staging a grand gala concert in Dubai at the end of 2014. And even a mini-festival with the participation of Vladimir Spivakov and Virtuosos. Such a half-telling, half-dream. But, as a rule, when we give installation, everything happens. Checked by time!
To organize a gala concert in Dubai “Moscow Virtuosos” and Vladimir Spivakov as a chord ending the anniversary year would be stylish and very daring!
Eugene: There are chances. The main thing is that several large projects are successfully completed and there is an opportunity to financially overpower all our plans. But the 10th anniversary of the “Russian Seasons in Dubai” is worth a steep and bright gala, which they will still talk about for a long time.
