Dear amateurs of classical music! Dear performers! The creation of such a resource devoted to virtual concerts of professional musicians has long been awaited. Finally it has appeared due to the two following important facts: First the film «Richter. The Enigma» by French musicologist Bruno Monsaingeon and, second - great G.Gould's thought on wider use by performing musicians of the newest technologies, which in my opinion has huge prospects for change in the existing concert practice. Let us look at both of these in detail.
In his film «Richter. The Enigma» its creator Bruno Monsaingeon asked Svyatoslav Richter: «Why do you perform so little? ». And the great pianist, to my astonishment, answered: « But where? All concert halls are occupied … ».
All halls are occupied! Even for musicians of such a level! This depressing information had already amazed me when watching this film. Really, when musicians lack to perform in public for years, they simply lose their performance values. This pressing need for change has been biding it’s time! It finally occurred to me while reading one of Glenn Gould’s interviews in which he urged musicians to break the settled traditions and bravely start to use new technologies. Yes, that is the way! New technologies! Here are new possibilities for so important and necessary changes, the real revolution in the field of concert practice and musical culture in general. And then I had the idea of the Virtual Concert Hall with unlimited number of “seats” – and simultaneously without coughs and creaking armchairs so typical of large halls … With fine acoustics and no necessity to use the field-glasses to distinguish the performer and his playing techniques … With the sensation that this musician plays only for you, addressing the performance to you, from heart to heart... This thought seemed to me so interesting and forward-looking that finally it took the form of this web service. I should tell you that firstly the site was intended exclusively for guitar music, but now my plans extend further, and the Hall is available not only for guitarists but also for other musicians - violinists, violoncellists, pianists, organists – in short, for all those who have something to say to the public by means of their favourite instrument.
Finally I would like to add that, unlike popular YouTube, my website has a number of important features and even advantages: first, it is a paid concert hall nothing differing from the usual ones – unless maybe a smaller entrance fee! Secondly, on our site only professional performers will play, masterly wielding their instruments. In other words, only highly artistic performances, and therefore, the best musical impressions are guaranteed to our Hall audience. And last of all, only here can you hear for example, unique transcriptions for classic guitar of J.S.Bach’s clavier works which nobody has performed before, Bach’s violin concert of a-minor transcribed for guitar and clavier and many other pieces.
With all of my heart I welcome both listeners and musicians to this Virtual Concert Hall opening. I am fully confident that true music connoisseurs will meet here the most remarkable performers.
Uriy Kuznetsov
