Caption: Semyon Bychkov
Semyon Bychkov 

Virtuoso Voices - Semyon Bychkov (Still Rachmaninoff)

From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.
Series: Virtuoso Voices(tm)
Length: :22

Composer Sergei Rachmaninoff suffered the musical equivalent of writer’s block for three agonizing years. When he finally emerged from his creative block, he became quite prolific, composing what conductor Semyon Bychkov considers his orchestral masterpiece, the Symphonic Dances. And with that new work came a mostly new style. Use this 22 second clip to introduce Semyon Bychkov conducting Rachmaninoff's “Symphonic Dances for Orchestra.” Scroll down to read the Suggested Host Intro, Outro and a transcript. Read the full description.

Semyon_bychkoff_small Use this clip to enhance your introduction of Semyon Bychkov conducting Rachmaninoff's “Symphonic Dances for Orchestra” (Profil 7028).  Semyon Bychkov’s complete discography is available at arkivmusic.com.

SUGGESTED HOST INTRO
Composer Sergei Rachmaninoff suffered the musical equivalent of writer’s block for three agonizing years.  When he finally emerged from his creative block, he became quite prolific, composing what conductor Semyon Bychkov (seem-YAHN bihch-KAWF) considers his orchestral masterpiece, the Symphonic Dances.  And with that new work came a mostly new style.

Semyon Bychkov Clip:
"There is a rather direct, sometimes quite harsh type of expression.  There is also a great melodic invention but without the slightest trace of sentimentality.  There is also a great influence of the music of Ravel and Debussy, although the spirit of the music is unmistakably Russian.”

SUGGESTED HOST OUTRO
You’ll hear an unmistakable Russian roar almost immediately.  Semyon Bychkov (seem-YAHN bihch-KAWF) conducts the West German Orchestra of Cologne in the Symphonic Dances by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

(To download a .txt file of this suggested copy, look under the "Additional Files" for this piece.)


WHAT IS VIRTUOSO VOICES™?

Virtuoso Voices™ is a performer interview service that provides short interview segments to radio stations,

their websites and other online platforms.

Virtuoso Voices provides stations with a new strategy for presenting classical music on the radio by directly

involving the performer in the introduction of the music.  These topical and evergreen clips enable announcers

to bring an additional insider's perspective to the music they introduce and play on their shifts.

Program content is taken from interviews with internationally recognized classical music performers, such as

Gil Shaham, Yo-Yo Ma, Marin Alsop, Lorin Maazel, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn and Michael Tilson Thomas.

For more information and to see additional ways to use these clips, please visit our website,

www.virtuosovoices.org.


Virtuoso Voices™ Fundraising Service

Virtuoso Voices(tm) is also Public Radio's primary source for classical music fundraising messages.

Please visit the fundraising page of our website for examples and further information.  

www.virtuosovoices.org/fundraising.


VIRTUOSO VOICES

"Classical Music's Virtuosos Want a Word with Your Listeners."

Virtuoso Voices is a trademark of Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

To hear the full audio, sign up for a free PRX account or log in.

Also in the Virtuoso Voices(tm) series

Caption: The King's Singers, Credit: Marco Borgreve

Virtuoso Voices - The King’s Singers (Merry Glitzmas) (:23)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

It’s hard to point to just one reason behind the artistic success of the King’s Singers, but their approach to Christmas music is a fine place to start. Their long time ...
Caption: The King's Singers, Credit: Marco Borgreve

Virtuoso Voices - The King’s Singers (Utah Benediction) (:25)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

It started a few years ago; two legendary choral groups got together to do one of the things they do best: Christmas music. The union of the six men of the King’s Singers ...
Caption: The King's Singers, Credit: Marco Borgreve

Virtuoso Voices - The King’s Singers (Hypnotic Hallelujah) (:25)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is becoming one of the more frequently performed songs of our generation. You may have heard it recently at the Olympics or during a recent ...
Caption: The King's Singers, Credit: Marco Borgreve

Virtuoso Voices - The King’s Singers (Hallelujah High) (:25)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah,” despite its title, does not necessarily offer a religious point of view. The song includes one section with a seemingly endless stream of ...
Caption: James Ehnes

Virtuoso Voices - James Ehnes (Too Well-Known) (:18)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

When something has been around for a while and has become extremely popular, it can be easy to take it for granted. The Violin Concerto by Max Bruch fits that description. ...
Caption: James Ehnes

Virtuoso Voices - James Ehnes (Barber’s Invitation) (:23)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

The Violin Concerto by Samuel Barber has some sharp and spiky peaks and crevices. Still, violinist James Ehnes considers it to be one of the more friendly concertos in the ...
Caption: James Ehnes

Virtuoso Voices - James Ehnes (Barber’s Fresh Appeal) (:19)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Some consider the Violin Concerto by American composer Samuel Barber to be the quintessential American violin concerto. Violinist James Ehnes says there’s another element ...
Caption: James Ehnes

Virtuoso Voices - James Ehnes (Allocation of Resources) (:22)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Playing music on stage requires a certain art, craft, musical vision and an equally high level of skill. An attractive stage presence is also important, but violinist James ...
Caption: James Ehnes

Virtuoso Voices - James Ehnes (At the Circus) (:26)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Some musicians emote and move around on stage more than others. There’s nothing wrong with classical music performers putting on a show, but violinist James Ehnes believes ...
Caption: James Ehnes

Virtuoso Voices - James Ehnes (It’s Not MY Way) (:26)
From: Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Each piece of music contains a certain degree of instruction from the composer as to how they want their music played. Some composers are more specific than others. In the ...

Piece Description

Use this clip to enhance your introduction of Semyon Bychkov conducting Rachmaninoff's “Symphonic Dances for Orchestra” (Profil 7028).  Semyon Bychkov’s complete discography is available at arkivmusic.com.

SUGGESTED HOST INTRO
Composer Sergei Rachmaninoff suffered the musical equivalent of writer’s block for three agonizing years.  When he finally emerged from his creative block, he became quite prolific, composing what conductor Semyon Bychkov (seem-YAHN bihch-KAWF) considers his orchestral masterpiece, the Symphonic Dances.  And with that new work came a mostly new style.

Semyon Bychkov Clip:
"There is a rather direct, sometimes quite harsh type of expression.  There is also a great melodic invention but without the slightest trace of sentimentality.  There is also a great influence of the music of Ravel and Debussy, although the spirit of the music is unmistakably Russian.”

SUGGESTED HOST OUTRO
You’ll hear an unmistakable Russian roar almost immediately.  Semyon Bychkov (seem-YAHN bihch-KAWF) conducts the West German Orchestra of Cologne in the Symphonic Dances by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

(To download a .txt file of this suggested copy, look under the "Additional Files" for this piece.)


WHAT IS VIRTUOSO VOICES™?

Virtuoso Voices™ is a performer interview service that provides short interview segments to radio stations,

their websites and other online platforms.

Virtuoso Voices provides stations with a new strategy for presenting classical music on the radio by directly

involving the performer in the introduction of the music.  These topical and evergreen clips enable announcers

to bring an additional insider's perspective to the music they introduce and play on their shifts.

Program content is taken from interviews with internationally recognized classical music performers, such as

Gil Shaham, Yo-Yo Ma, Marin Alsop, Lorin Maazel, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn and Michael Tilson Thomas.

For more information and to see additional ways to use these clips, please visit our website,

www.virtuosovoices.org.


Virtuoso Voices™ Fundraising Service

Virtuoso Voices(tm) is also Public Radio's primary source for classical music fundraising messages.

Please visit the fundraising page of our website for examples and further information.  

www.virtuosovoices.org/fundraising.


VIRTUOSO VOICES

"Classical Music's Virtuosos Want a Word with Your Listeners."

Virtuoso Voices is a trademark of Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Additional Files

Additional Credits

This clip is also available on the May 2010 Virtuoso Voices CD.

Special thanks to Marty Ronish and the CSO for for making the Semyon Bychkov interview available to Virtuoso Voices.

Virtuoso Voices is a trademark of Listener Directed Productions, Inc.

Related Website

www.virtuosovoices.org