press

"Praise be … to Glinka and Tchaikovsky for showing what glittering substance is all about, and to Alexander Vedernikov for perfection of style in both. (★★★★)".. >>

Press review

Amelia GENTLEMAN,
The Guardian, Fri 6 Jul 2001

The backstage drama at the Bolshoi saw the arrival this week of a young musical director whose mission is to drag the theatre out of the crisis that has shattered its reputation. >>

Quiet young conductor tries to tame the Bolshoi snakepit

"Russian Life",
USA, September/October 2001

Depending on who you ask, Alexander Vedernikov has either the most or the least enviable job in Russian arts. >>

Alexander Vedernikov, conductor

Ekaterina BIRYUKOVA,
Izvestia, March 18, 2002

The performance of the dramatic legend of Hector Berlioz "The Condemnation of Faust" took place on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. >>

And it's not scary at all

RBC, June 3, 2002

The premiere of Mussorgsky's opera Khovanshchina will take place at the Bolshoi Theatre on June 7. >>

Bolshoi Theatre: "Khovanshchina" in the style of engraving

Ekaterina BIRYUKOVA,
Izvestia. June 7, 2002

Probably, there are operas that can argue with the "Khovanshchina" by the vagueness of their meaning. But there is hardly another one that combines this nebula with indisputable philosophical depth in such an incomprehensible way. >>

Judgment Day

Lawrence BUDMEN,
January 29, 2004

Conductor Vedernikov and the Russian National Orchestra were equal partners in this magnificent performance of Bartok's swan song opus. >>

Fiery Bartók

Anna KOCHAROVA
BBC Russian Service, Moscow, March 22, 2005

Children of Rosenthal, composed by Leonid Desyatnikov and staged by Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekrosius, has already caused much controversy and triggered a political debate. >>

Fury over Bolshoi composer clones

RBC, Society , 12 Dec 2005

The Bolshoi Theater presented the premiere of Sergei Prokofiev's opera War and Peace. The musical director of the production was Mstislav Rostropovich, but a few days before the premiere he refused to take the conductor's stand. >>

"War and Peace": the premiere at the Bolshoi took place after all

Irina MURAVIEVA, rg.ru, Dec. 12, 2005​

The pace and rhythms of the war, worked out by Prokofiev on the material of "Alexander Nevsky", were set by Alexander Vedernikov, sometimes falling on the audience with a menacing mass of sound, but never once losing balance with the singers. >>

Evan DICKERSON,
Seen and Heard Opera Review, July 25, 2006

The Bolshoi’s visit coincides with that of Gergiev’s Mariinsky team, but the Muscovites don’t seem flustered by the mega-maestro making London his second home, for they have brought two impressive productions, one old and one new. >>

Prokofiev: The Fiery Angel

RBC, September 4, 2006

Onegin kills Lensky not in a duel, but by accident, and in the finale he tries to shoot himself. Tatiana, in a fit of emotion, knocks over chairs and climbs onto the table, and sings a romance with Olga with her back to the audience. >>

Bolshoi Theatre: "Eugene Onegin" in a modern way

Søren SCHAUSER,
Berlingske, 26. November 2006

Det Kongelige Kapel har fået den helt rigtige chefdirigent. En mand med hjerte for både musik og mennesker. >>

Alexander den store

Slava SHADRONOV, April 28, 2007

From a historical and musical point of view, "Boris Godunov" is still an unsolved work, unsolved primarily in terms of music, and not even in terms of dramaturgy... >>

Chur, child! ("Boris Godunov" by M. Mussorgsky at the Bolshoi Theatre)

RBC, November 14, 2007

The premiere of the new version of "Eugene Onegin", which took place on September 1, 2006 on the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theater, provoked a vivid reaction from critics. >>

"Eugene Onegin" of the Bolshoi Theater was awarded the Casta Diva award

Pieracille DOFFINI,
"Avvenire", 01/09.2008

All tickets were sold out for three concerts of Russian musicians. Only one chord was enough, the first gloomy chord of Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini, and the spirit of Russia wafted into the La Scala Theater... >>

The Bolshoi Orchestra enchants La Scala

Elsa AIROLDI,
Il Giornale, 01/10/2008

The audience was captured by the power and confidence of conductor Alexander Vedernikov, the brilliant technique of pianist Nikolai Lugansky. >>

The Bolshoi arrived — and showed himself to be such at the La Scala Theater

ClassicalMusicNews.Ru.
January 21, 2008

Despite the fact that the two theaters have a long and close relationship, the tour of the Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra in Milan is at least a non—ordinary event. >>

The orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre conquered Milan

NEWSru.com. April, 10, 2008

Vedernikov received an award in the Symphonic Music category for his performance with the Orchestra of Italian Switzerland of Dmitry Shostakovich's First Piano Concerto. >>

The Bolshoi Theatre's chief conductor has been awarded the BBC Music Prize

Cagliari, teatro Lirico,
27 Apr 2008

The Lyric of Cagliari proposes another rarity and opens the Festival of Sant'efisio with the legend of the invisible city of Kitezh. >>

Nekrošius, Holy Russia

Olga PAVUK,
The Baltic Course, Рига, June 16, 2016

A tour of the opera of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia will take place on the stage of the Latvian National Opera. Two new productions of the Bolshoi will be presented to the audience — "Rosenthal's Children" and "Eugene Onegin". >>

The Bolshoi Theatre has arrived in Riga again

Lenta.Ru, July 14, 2009

It seems that the Bolshoi Theater is entering a period of personnel confusion. At the beginning of winter, the main choreographer Alexei Ratmansky left him, and the middle of July was marked by the announcement of the resignation of the chief conductor and musical director Alexander Vedernikov. >>

Bow to the maestro. Alexander Vedernikov leaves the Bolshoi Theatre

Izvestiya. July 14, 2009

"I was becoming more and more uncomfortable for the current administration," Vedernikov said. >>

The main conductor leaves the Bolshoi Theatre

Michael STOTT,
Reuters. July 14, 2009

Alexander Vedernikov, who had struggled for eight years to raise standards and inject new life into Russia's best-known international music theater, announced his decision on the opening day of the Bolshoi's summer tour of Italy. >>

Conductor exits left as Bolshoi Theater's woes mount

Irina MURAVYOVA,
"RG", ClassicalMusicNews.ru 16 июля 2009 г.

Maestro Vedernikov intends to make an official statement about his termination of the contract with the Bolshoi Theatre, which expires in June 2010, on July 17, upon his return from Milan to Moscow. >>

Alexander Vedernikov: “It seems to me that the theater has chosen a dead-end path”

Natalia ZIMYANINA, Novaya Gazeta, July 20, 2009

By indirect signs, it can be calculated that the "vision of prospects diverged" two years ago. But only now Vedernikov told about the reasons for his departure: his opinion is not taken into account, they demand quantity at the expense of quality; bureaucratic logic has largely defeated artistic logic. >>

It is not the contract that has expired, but patience

LENTA.RU, August 18, 2009

"There is no need for any concept of development of the administration. You can just stupidly play the same performances year after year... doing one or two premieres per season is unacceptably small. With such enthusiasm, you can only produce "goodbye, youth" boots, and not work in the theater." >>

The former chief conductor criticized the Bolshoi Theater

Izvestiya. September 22, 2009

Alexander Vedernikov, who left the post of musical director of the Bolshoi Theater in July, believes that the avant-garde composer Leonid Desyatnikov, who was appointed to this position today, will not be able to gain real power in the theater. >>

The ex-conductor of the Bolshoi recognized the new choice of the theater as a PR move

Anne DRUD, Odense Symfoniorkester. FyuensStiftstidende, Nov 3, 2009

”It was a sensation when we managed to engage him. He is one of the greatest and best conductors." >>

Maestro Vedernikov

Roger JONES,
Seen and Heard UK Concert Review., May 28, 2010

Vedernikov managed to inspire the CBSO to play with vigour and commitment to produce a performance which was utterly overwhelming in its impact. >>

Seen and Heard UK Concert Review. Alexander Vedernikov/CBSO

Christopher MORLEY,
BusinessLive, Jun, 4, 2010

Russian orchestral music is textured throughout with significant instumental solos, and in this all-Russian programme they were delivered with clarity and dexterity, marshalled under the sweeping and expert beat of conductor Alexander Vedernikov. >>

Review: Alexander Vedernikov/CBSO at the Symphony Hall

Caterina BERGO,
www.Sipario.it, 15 novembre 2012

l'Orchestra Filarmonica del Teatro Comunale di Bologna ha partecipato a uno dei più grandi capolavori della musica sinfonica, la patetica di Kaykovsky: il direttore Aleksandr Vedernikov ha guidato l'orchestra su un percorso caratterizzato da un'interpretazione fedele alla partitura. >>

Concerto inaugurale della stagione del Teatro Manzoni

Marc HAEGEMAN,
Classical Net Review, 2012

Led by the Russian guest conductor Alexander Vedernikov, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France inaugurated the year with an attractive all-Russian program. >>

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France/Alexander Vedernikov

Guy DAMMANN,
Financial Nimes, November, 4, 2014

Shostakovich’s opera is conducted and directed with brutal clarity. >>

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Royal Opera House, Copenhagen — review

Per Rask MADSEN,
Information, November 7, 2014

The many fantastic orchestral passages the Royal Chapel plays under Russian Alexander Vedernikov.. >>

The ultimate price of womanhood. 'Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk’

Nicholas NGUYEN, Backtrack, The classical music website, September 14, 2014

At the Concertgebouw last Saturday, Russian conductor Alexander Vedernikov took the audience on this musical rollercoaster journey with just the right balance of gusto and sensitivity. >>

Tchaikovsky’s Mazeppa at the Concertgebouw is a thrilling and captivating tale

ClassicalMusicNews.ru,
April 9, 2015

"I was lucky in my life to cooperate and communicate with Mstislav Leopoldovich. Rostropovich's significance lies not only in the fact that he was an excellent cellist and conductor. He was a major intellectual figure who set in motion certain springs of the musical world." >>

Both skill and inspiration

Clive PEACOCK,
26 May 2016

With a Russian conductor, Alexander Vedernikov, very much at home with an all-Russian programme, the strong CBSO audience following was in for a treat. >>

Glorious Russian classics from Vedernikov and the CBSO at Symphony Hall

Colin ANDERSON,
ClassicalSource, August, 23, 2016

Vedernikov found the demon in the music and also its eerie beauty, effectively discovering an equilibrium between construction, motifs and mechanics against expression that twists slimily, erupts and hits hard. >>

Prom 50: BBC Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Vedernikov

Alan SANDERS,
Seen and Heard International, August, 24, 2016

Vedernikov’s balanced, proportionate view of the score bought its own rewards, since it had a pleasing lyrical emphasis, and tension developed naturally as the musical argument unfolded. >>

An Impressive Proms Debut by Alexander Vedernikov. Royal Albert Hall

Michael CHURCH,
The Independent, Thursday, August, 25, 2016

Vedernikov’s sensitive conducting allowed every note from the piano to impinge delicately. >>

Alexander Vedernikov makes his Proms debut on the podium

Colin ANDERSON,
ClassicalSource, October, 4 2017

A stimulating concert led by a musician with an engaging personality who has an infectious sense of humour. Vedernikov, with his at-times unorthodox if highly effective conducting technique, seems immune to fads... >>

BBC Symphony Orchestra/Alexander Vedernikov

The Scotsman, 4th Dec 2017

This monumental concert under Russian conductor Alexander Vedernikov was a case in point: two mammoth Russian works, shatteringly loud at times '“ but raw volume wasn't really the issue. >>

Music review: BBC SSO & Denis Kozhukhin, City Halls, Glasgow

Klaus BILLAND,
OnlineMerker, June 6, 2018

The true revelation came from the Odense Symphony Orchestra, from whom the initiative for this Ring, under the profound and impetuous musical leadership of chief conductor Alexander Vedernikov, came in 2015 with concert performances. >>

Odense/Denmark: The Ring of the Nibelung - 29 May - 3 June 2018

Curtis ROGERS,
ClassicalSource, August, 2, 2018

Vedernikov evoked the still atmosphere of night at the opening, taken up by Karadaglić with the rippling chords on his instrument... >>

Prom 25: BBC Symphony Orchestra / Alexander Vedernikov at Royal Albert Hall

Valdemar LØNSTED,
Information, September 19, 2018

...Here the Russian conductor has fully proved himself to be one of the best, including in his repertoire. And Vedernikov got the best out of the orchestra, which is rightfully proud of the strong traditions of Russian music. >>

Shostakovich's 8. Symphony became a true event

Richard LANDAU,
February, 13, 2019

Vedernikov obtained impressive results from his massive band of players, with standout contributions from brass and woodwinds. >>

BBC Symphony Orchestra — Alexander Vedernikov conducts Vasks & Shostakovich

Anton DUBIN,
"Musical review", № 12 (470) 2020

"He brilliantly knew opera scores and all the subtleties of the art of opera conducting. He had a talent of huge scale and vast knowledge." >>

Limitless absolute pitch. In memory of Alexander Vedernikov

Alexander MATUSEVICH,
Kultura, 31 Nov 2020

But for all the Europeanness and universalism of Vedernikov's talent, he always remained a Russian conductor. >>

In memory of Alexander Vedernikov

Dmitry RENANSKY,
MEDUZA., October 31, 2020

Alexander Vedernikov consistently and maybe quite consciously broke out of all the traditional social frameworks, desperately refusing to fit into the comme-il-faut behavior. >>

The conductor who reformed the Bolshoi Theater

Sergey KHODNEV,
Kommersant newspaper No. 201 of 31.10.2020

Alexander Vedernikov, a calm, thorough and, at the same time, disarmingly ironic person, could seem to be not fanatic enough, not charismatic enough. Although, from today everything is seen differently. . >>

A Great Man of the Bolshoi Theater

History of Music, October 30, 2020

Alexander Vedernikov's international reputation has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and he is in high demand as a guest conductor. >>

"Alexander Vedernikov's international reputation..."

Sergey BULANOV,
"Itogi", November 1, 2020 г.

Surprisingly, Vedernikov managed in fact only by the means of the art he created to get himself a name. His career seemed to be taking shape by itself. >>

Never in a hurry. In memory of conductor Alexander Vedernikov

The Telegraph, November 2, 2020

He directed thrilling concerts in Britain, supplying 'his own wild-man choreography on the podium' and spent eight years at the Bolshoi. >>

Alexander Vedernikov, Russian conductor known for fast tempi and loud fortissimos

Anthony TOMMASINI,
New York Times Nov. 16, 2020

A kinetic podium presence, he led performances at major opera houses and orchestras. >>

Alexander Vedernikov, Conductor and Bolshoi Veteran

Le 18 novembre 2020 par Vincent GUILLEMIN

Chef curieux au répertoire complet, qui réussissait à maintenir la tension tout au long d’un opéra de Puccini comme à s’atteler avec brio au répertoire moderne, il était aussi l’un des artistes les plus marqué par la grande tradition russe, bien plus que les nombreux chefs russes reconnus aujourd’hui en occident. >>

Hommage: le NHK Tokyo met en ligne deux concerts d’Alexander Vedernikov

Mas du Barret. 1 août 2021

Vedernikov semblait devenir lui-même, en personne, la musique qu’il était censé interpréter. >>

Alexandre Vedernikov. Vers l’impalpable et nécessaire beauté