Music Article "Soviet Conductor Surpasses Translation" by Constance Meyer, Suzuki-certified Juilliard trained violin teacher, violinist, music teacher, author of "The Mom-centric method" defining Suzuki method and classical music journalist for the Los Angeles Times, about Evgeny Kolobov, conductor of the Kirov Ballet Orchestra.

CONSTANCE MEYER Articles

Constance Meyer is a Suzuki-certified, Juilliard trained violin teacher, journalist, and author of "The Mom-Centric Method" among her series of articles on classical music for the Los Angeles Times. She gives violin lessons in Beverly Hills.

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Soviet Conductor Surpasses Translation

Constance Meyer is a Los Angeles violinist who played in the orchestra during the Kirov Ballet engagement in Shrine Auditorium

May 27, 1986 | by Constance Meyer | The Los Angeles Times

The thrill of seeing the Kirov Ballet is an experience to treasure when it happens. Working with a great conductor is not a common event. But, like the thrill of seeing the Kirov, it is an experience to treasure when it happens.

The local musicians selected to play during the Kirov Ballet's one-week engagement here had one day of rehearsal preceding the first "Swan Lake" last Wednesday. In the rehearsal room on the third floor of Shrine Auditorium the orchestra assembled early, eager to begin.

Conductor Evgeny Kolobov joined the Kirov (Mariinsky) orchestra in 1981. At the rehearsal, an intense, boyish-looking, diminutive man snuffed out his cigarette and took his place on the podium. "This is the conductor," a large blond woman announced, with a rolled Russian "r" at the end of conductor. She sat down directly behind him for future translation responsibilities.

If any musician among us had yawned over the prospect of playing for yet another full-length production of "Swan Lake," that sentiment was corrected a moment later at the downbeat.

Our "conductorrr" was Evgeny Kolobov, a 40-year-old man who joined the Kirov five years ago. Like an actor preparing for his role, Kolobov's face clouded over with seriousness as he began the opening sweeping bars of the score.

As the intensity increased, our maestro's breathing became audible, an occasional hum perceptible. From the moment Kolobov submerged himself and us in Tchaikovsky's prelude, it was clear that he had superb stick technique. Nothing is ambivalent in it, or left to chance. He is easy to follow.

From the moment Kolobov submerged himself and us in Tchaikovsky's prelude, it was clear that he had superb stick technique. Technique without musicianship is not inspiring. A rubato - a stretching here of the line to sustain a phrase, a momentary acceleration there for tension--all were so heartfelt and genuine that the orchestra instantly responded to him. At the first break the musicians gathered into exuberant little groups of discussion. "That's how it should be!" a woodwind player said.

Later, the violins began a romantic passage. Kolobov stopped us, and to demonstrate what was missing he stroked his face with the palm of his hand in a loving caress. We played it again. With that gesture, the passage had been stripped of any aggressiveness and was now pure, gentle lyricism.

The orchestra was momentarily jarred from the proceedings when a group of men, some in gray suits, others in navy, appeared in the doorway, to observe us.

Russian conductor Evgeny Kobolov is easy to follow. Our concertmaster began his cadenza. Kolobov heard it through, pressed both hands to his heart, his face scrunched up as if about to cry. He shook his hand warmly. "Kak vas zavoot?" (What is your name?), translated by one of our own Russian-speaking members of the orchestra.

"Ken."

This is the first time we'd heard Kolobov speak. In spite of seeing his translator behind him, we were startled by this sudden reminder of the language barrier. Until this point extended verbal communication had been unnecessary.

"Ken," he repeated tentatively and then burst into impassioned, fast Russian.

"You may take as much time as you want there. It is your moment," a Russian-speaking violinist translated. Ken Yerke nodded and began again. Kolobov's shoulders and thick square eyebrows raised with pleasure. At the end of the entire performance music conductor Kolobov placed his hands on his heart and smiled at us.

"Prekrasna" (wonderful), he murmured.

A little later we played a light dance which was not quite happy-go-lucky enough. He stopped us and pantomimed a carefree style. "Los Angeles!" he said, with an impish grin.

The rehearsal lasted from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Normally we would have been exhausted. We were exhilarated. We broke for dinner and went home to change into our concert black.

Everyone was instructed to wear a Kirov identity badge at all times. Failure to display it would mean non-admittance to the building. To get back to the pit, orchestra members had to walk through a mine field of about 20 men, some dressed in navy and some in gray. Clustered in small groups according to suit color, engrossed in intense conversation, eyeing everyone who passed by, they didn't appear to be typical balletomanes.

The unconfirmed rumor was that the ones in gray were Soviets, those in The Kirov dancers were met with wild applause. navy, State Department. Except for dancers coming and going directly onstage, the backstage area was conspicuously lacking in ballet ambiance.

We returned to work. Kolobov had prepared us well. True to his style, no motion was unnecessary or unjustified. His eyes expressed the pathos, terror, gaiety, gravity--whatever mood was required as he coaxed out of the orchestra the effects needed.

His gestures were unhampered by histrionics. Like a magnificent marionetteer, Kolobov's control of the various elements was never in doubt and yet his presence remained unobtrusive. Lest it be forgotten that the orchestra was secondary to what went on on stage, the dancers were met with wild applause.

At the end of the entire performance Kolobov placed his hands on his heart and smiled at us. His sincerity was absolute.

This photo of Evgeny Kolobov is by Gary Friedman/LA Times. It was originally published with the article in the Los Angeles Times, scanned here from the actual newspaper.

This photo of Evgeny Kolobov (right) is by Gary Friedman/LA Times.
It was originally published with the article in the Los Angeles Times, scanned here from the actual newspaper.