Seven young musicians — students of violin, cello, piano, and viola — from the Zakhar Bron School of Music took part in the Klassifest Music Festival 2022, presenting three concerts at the Helferei cultural center in Zurich from March 20 to 22. For the first time, our string players performed together as a quartet, marking an exciting milestone in the school’s chamber music program and showcasing the high level of classical music education at ZBSM.
The festival opened on Sunday, March 20, with an evening of chamber music. The audience enjoyed some of the most beloved works of the classical repertoire, including virtuosic showpieces such as Saint-Saëns’ ‘Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso’ and Wieniawski’s ‘Scherzo-Tarantelle’. Alexandra Taub (violin) and Milla Kovari (piano) performed a Mozart sonata with great elegance and musicality.
The concert concluded with a performance by a string quartet formed by ZBSM students: Alexandra Taub (violin), Nina Gringolts (violin), Alma Greiner (viola), and Ephraim Taub (cello). Their interpretation of a Haydn quartet captivated the audience. Special recognition goes to cellist Ephraim Taub, who stepped in on just half a day’s notice to replace Benjamin Branson, who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The second evening featured a stunning solo performance by Sophie Branson (violin). Her program included Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, one of the most technically demanding works in the violin repertoire, and Bloch’s emotional Nigun, a musical reflection of a Jewish prayer. She was accompanied by the brilliant ZHdK piano student Sofya Menshikova, who also performed an impressive solo program featuring works by the legendary Russian composer and pianist Alexander Scriabin.
The festival concluded with a highlight performance on the third evening. ZBSM’s Ilva Eigus (violin) shared the stage with young French cellist Maxime Grizard and renowned Zurich-based pianist Kateryna Tereshchenko. Together, the trio presented works by Rachmaninoff and Mendelssohn, along with two brilliant solo pieces: Ysaÿe’s Sonata and Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso.
Behind every great performance stands a dedicated teacher. At the Zakhar Bron School of Music, our students grow and flourish under the guidance of passionate, experienced musicians who help them reach their full potential. We are proud to introduce the educators who supported and prepared our young performers for their appearances at Klassifest 2022.
Alexandra Taub, Nina Gringolts, Sophie Branson, and Ilva Eigus all study violin with Liana Tretiakova, the school’s founder and lead violin teacher. Alma Greiner is a student of violin teacher Inna Khriplovich, and Milla Kovari studies piano with Rafael Lipstein. The cellists Ephraim Taub and Benjamin Branson are both guided by Payam Taghadossi.
Last but not least, we warmly acknowledge the remarkable Paris-based cello teacher Claire Oppert, who teaches Maxime Grizard and regularly shares her expertise with our students through masterclasses at the Zakhar Bron School of Music in Zurich.
Klassifest is an annual music festival founded in 2022 by Zurich-based pianist and concert organizer Alexander Aviv. Created as a platform to promote and support talented young soloists in Switzerland, the festival offers emerging virtuosos the opportunity to present their musical achievements to enthusiastic classical music audiences.
The Zakhar Bron School of Music is sincerely grateful to Alexander Aviv for the opportunity to take part in this inspiring festival. It was a valuable experience for our students, and a wonderful chance to share their music with a wider audience.
Photo credit: Evgenia Pronina
Tags: Alexandra Taub, Alma Greiner, Benjamin Branson, Ephraim Taub, Ilva Eigus, Klassifest Music Festival, Liana Tretiakova, Nina Gringolts, Sophie Branson
Categories: Festival Performances
