On August 24, five ZBSM students—four violinists and one pianist—accompanied by the Galatea Quartet, presented a vibrant baroque music program at the Golden Festival in Herrliberg, Switzerland.
The evening opened with a remarkable performance by pianist Katya Gringolts (15), who performed Bach’s Piano Concerto in F minor. Her interpretation combined clarity, elegance, and a majestic character, delivered with poise well beyond her years and immediately setting a high artistic standard for the program.
The violinists then presented Antonio Vivaldi’s celebrated cycle The Four Seasons, performed entirely in baroque style and using baroque bows. The cycle began with the youngest participant of the concert, Tatjana Filimonova (12), in Spring. Her performance radiated freshness, excitement, and youthful energy, capturing the spirit of renewal so central to the work.
Summer was performed by Kimia Corke (13), whose interpretation stood out for its intensity, energy, and strong stage presence. The famous final movement, The Storm, was delivered with such force and drama that it left a lasting impression on the audience.
Sophie Branson (18) took the stage for Autumn, painting vivid musical scenes of rural life, harvest celebrations, and hunting. Her confident and expressive playing allowed the narrative to unfold naturally, making the considerable technical challenges of the concerto seem effortless.
The cycle concluded with Winter, performed by Nina Gringolts (16). Her interpretation was both convincing and imaginative, featuring striking ‘special effects’ such as ponticello and crisp staccato passages that made the audience feel the chill of winter—despite the summer season outside.
The successful appearance of our students at this festival—like their many performances in Switzerland and abroad—would not have been possible without the outstanding work of our dedicated violin and piano teachers, whose artistic guidance and long-term commitment play a decisive role in each student’s development.
Pianist Katya Gringolts began her studies at the Zakhar Bron School of Music in 2014. She is currently studying in the piano class of Rafael Lipstein, the school’s leading piano teacher.
Tatjana Filimonova joined the Zakhar Bron School of Music in 2019 and has been studying the violin in the class of Inna Khriplovich, one of the school’s violin teachers.
Sophie Branson, Nina Gringolts, and Kimia Corke joined the Zakhar Bron School of Music in 2010, 2013, and 2021 respectively. All three study violin in the class of Liana Tretiakova, the school’s founder and leading violin teacher.
Sophie, Nina, and Kimia have previously appeared at the Golden Festival in 2020, 2022, and 2023, while for Katya and Tatjana this year’s concert marked their festival debut.
Sophie, Nina and Kimia have already performed at the festival in the previous years – 2020, 2022 and 2023. For Katya and Tatjana it was the debut at the festival.
The Golden Festival in Herrliberg is a classical music festival dedicated to artistic excellence, cultural exchange, and the support of young talents. It brings together emerging musicians, experienced performers, and enthusiastic audiences in an atmosphere that combines high artistic standards with openness and inspiration.
With its carefully curated programs, the festival offers young artists a valuable platform to present themselves in a professional concert setting. At the same time, it invites listeners to experience classical music in a warm and engaging environment, fostering dialogue between generations and celebrating the richness of musical tradition.
Founded in 2020, the Golden Festival has since been held annually in Herrliberg, in the Canton of Zurich. Set in an intimate and inspiring setting near Lake Zurich, the festival has quickly established itself as a valued cultural event, attracting young talents, dedicated educators, and an appreciative audience year after year.
In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of this concert. First and foremost, we thank the musicians of the Galatea Quartet—Yuka Tsuboi (violin I), Sarah Kilchenmann (violin II), Hugo Bollschweiler (viola), and Julien Kilchenmann (cello)—for their superb musicianship and for their generous support of our young soloists during rehearsals and the concert itself.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our violin teachers Inna Khriplovich and Liana Tretiakova, as well as to Rafael Lipstein, piano teacher, for their meticulous work with the students, their thorough preparation for the concert, and their guidance throughout the performance.
Last but not least, we would like to thank Dr Marc Blessing, President of the Zakhar Bron School of Music, for his support of this event and for making it possible in the first place.
Photo credit: Schlomo Aschkenasy
Tags: Golden Festival, Inna Khriplovich, Katya Gringolts, Kimia Corke, Liana Tretiakova, Marc Blessing, Nina Gringolts, Rafael Lipstein, Sophie Branson, Tatjana Filimonova
Categories: Concerts with Orchestra
