A Tribute to Giya Kancheli – On the 90th Anniversary of His Birth
On 25 October, the Zurich Music Festival will dedicate a quiet and contemplative evening to the Georgian composer Giya Kancheli — one of the most distinctive voices of the 20th century. His music lives in the tension between silence and sound, spiritual clarity and emotional depth.
In honor of his 90th anniversary, the Augustinerkirche in Zurich will host the world premiere of a cycle of 18 miniatures arranged for clarinet and piano — music of soaring simplicity and restrained power.
The works were adapted in 2019 at Kancheli’s personal request by Julian Milkis — a world-renowned clarinetist and the only student of jazz legend Benny Goodman. Together with Nikoloz Rachveli — pianist, composer, and chief conductor of the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra — he will perform these works, inspired by a long-standing friendship with the composer and a deep understanding of his worldview.
Despite their performances worldwide, there is still no recording of the Milkis–Rachveli duo. This evening will therefore be a unique moment in sound that cannot be repeated — a quiet touch to the artistry and inner world of Giya Kancheli.
*As part of the concert, a solo exhibition of the artist David Sharashidze will take place.
Program:
Giya Kancheli
Miniatures for clarinet and piano (2019)
Musicians
Julian Milkis, clarinet
Nikoloz Rachveli, piano
Giya Kancheli
In l’istesso tempo for string quartet (1996)
Musicians
Nikoloz Rachveli, piano
Konstantin Gotsiridze, violin
Ekaterine Gardavadze, viola
George Nadarashvili, cello
Komitas
Seven Songs (c. 1909–1911)
Six Folk Dances (c. 1906–1910)
Musician
Sonia Zholobova, piano
