Concert with Harpsichords in Novosibirsk by Aapo Hakkinen and Anna Nedospasova: Bach and Handel

Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Hall. Photo © Boris Schipkov, 2015

I went to the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Hall (Krasny prospect, 32) on 23rd April 2015 to a concert called "From History of Clavier" by Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra with the two soloists: a harpsichordist and conductor Aapo Hakkinen of Finland and a harpsichordist Anna Nedospasova of Russia, Novosibirsk. They played Pisendel "Largo & Fuga in C minor", J.S. Bach "Concerto for two claviers with orchestra in D major" and "Concerto for two claviers with orchestra in C major", Handel "Concerto grosso in B flat major", Mozart "Adagio & Fuga in C minor", Haydn "Symphony No. 26 in D minor (Lamentatione)".

Aapo Hakkinen played this harpsichord in Novosibirsk in 2015. Photo © Vasily Schipkov, 2015

Harpsichord is a very old musical instrument; it was popular in 16th-18th centuries, and even Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played the harpsichord.
This was an excellent performance, especially of Bach and Handel Concertos. Aapo Hakkinen is a famous harpsichordist and conductor, he has recorded many CDs. Both Aapo Hakkinen and Anna Nedospasova are accomplished, skilful musicians. Overall the concert was fairly good. I felt then the atmosphere of the Renaissance and Middle Ages, fun of capitalism and feudalism.

The conductor Aapo Hakkinen with the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra. Photo by Sirpa Paivinen