{"id":28714,"date":"2024-06-28T15:03:38","date_gmt":"2024-06-28T14:03:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/?p=28714"},"modified":"2024-07-11T18:58:15","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T17:58:15","slug":"semushkinas-music-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/semushkinas-music-club\/","title":{"rendered":"Semushkina\u2019s Music Club"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
\u00a9 Evgeniy Khazheev<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The latest episode<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>Solstice Happening<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span>a part of the<\/span><\/span> Portland Portal series (<\/span><\/span>held<\/span><\/span> in a Georgian mansion on Portland Place), marked the first occasion that aimed at both Russian-speaking and international audiences. Upon my arrival<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>I found the second-floor hall in a tranquil lull<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> the sound check just tapering off. In no time, a <\/span><\/span>figure <\/span><\/span>emerged<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>resembling <\/span><\/span>both<\/span><\/span> Keanu Reeves and Dave Grohl, <\/span><\/span>who <\/span><\/span>introduc<\/span><\/span>ed <\/span><\/span>himself as a musician (<\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>yet <\/span><\/span>a hobby that doesn<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>t help pay the bills<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>). He lamented<\/span><\/span> that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>h<\/span><\/span>is sole acquaintance was the artist Philip Firsov, whom he once <\/span><\/span>assisted in<\/span><\/span> unload<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span> a mini<\/span><\/span>van<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>full of <\/span><\/span>canvases<\/span><\/span>\u2014<\/span><\/span>a bond now anchoring him to Semushkina<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s musical escapades. Firsov<\/span><\/span>, too, <\/span><\/span>never misses them<\/span><\/span>:<\/span><\/span> his <\/span><\/span>paintings,<\/span><\/span> dense <\/span><\/span>in <\/span><\/span>narrative and execution<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>reminiscent<\/span><\/span> of <\/span><\/span>Chagall<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s allegorical symbolism, adorn<\/span><\/span>s <\/span><\/span>every Semushkina<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> venue<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>creating a visual concert in tandem with the music.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Identifying Semushkina amidst the gathering crowd required no prior acquaintance; her presence was as <\/span><\/span>towering<\/span><\/span> as her stature. Adorned with a tiara that radiated like the Madonna<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s <\/span><\/span>aureola<\/span><\/span>, she stood<\/span><\/span> regally<\/span><\/span>\u2014<\/span><\/span>a patroness, <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>host, <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>saint. Approaching the microphone, she welcomed the guests, kick<\/span><\/span>ed<\/span><\/span> off the evening, and introduced the first <\/span><\/span>performer<\/span><\/span>\u2014<\/span><\/span>Nikita Sukhikh, a former violinist with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. His performance was a study in academic precision,<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>momentarily interrupted by a persistent English conversation near the improvised bar. <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>Please translate t<\/span><\/span>hem<\/span><\/span> that talking during a performance is disrespectful to the musician,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>a remark in Russian was <\/span><\/span>so potent that even Peter ceased his sotto voce commentary. <\/span><\/span>Peter<\/span><\/span> soon found himself drawn away, captivated <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> the enigma of the next performer<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s <\/span><\/span>aura<\/span><\/span>\u2014<\/span><\/span>the virtuoso guitarist Gennaro, introduced <\/span><\/span>by<\/span><\/span> Firsov as <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>a regular participant in our events,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> while reminding that <\/span><\/span>the <\/span><\/span>surrounding <\/span><\/span>artworks<\/span><\/span> could be purchased <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span><\/span>at an affordable price.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\u00a9 Evgeniy Khazheev<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

T<\/span><\/span>he virtuoso guitar technique, as evidenced by the applause, resonated more with the audience than the violin<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s earlier strains. <\/span><\/span>Next,<\/span><\/span> a duo of Georgian musicians <\/span><\/span>took<\/span><\/span> stage (<\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>I really love Georgia,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> commented Semushkina; <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>I was conceived in Georgia,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>added<\/span><\/span> Firsov; <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>I don<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>t understand what I<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>m clapping for,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> clapped Peter, who <\/span><\/span>had re<\/span><\/span>appeared nearby). Following them was <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>our youngest participant<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> Varvara Sherman, accompanied by Alexey Smirnov and Konstantin Tumanov<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> the accordionist <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> the Aquarium <\/span><\/span>band<\/span><\/span>. Yet, it was Andrey Zamyatin<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s soulful rendition of <\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>Girls, love simple romantics<\/span><\/span>\u2026\u201d <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>steered the evening<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s ambiance. By th<\/span><\/span>en<\/span><\/span>, the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>collective hum had evolved<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>into<\/span><\/span> a character in its own right<\/span><\/span>, such that <\/span><\/span>removing a few voices would<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span> have altered the soundscape<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span>Amidst this, the event<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s photographer crossed himself before emptying a plastic cup, Firsov navigated the throng<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>champagne<\/span><\/span> in hand<\/span><\/span>, and Peter, after shar<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span> that a few minutes ago<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>he had <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>played the harpsichord for the first time in his life<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> vanished<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>into the night.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\u00a9 Evgeniy Khazheev<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adding the proverbial decadent edge to the event, downstairs, in the room with the harpsichord, where Firsov <\/span><\/span>had <\/span><\/span>simulated <\/span><\/span>an <\/span><\/span>ersatz artist<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s studio<\/span><\/span> by<\/span><\/span> scattering brushes and <\/span><\/span>sketches<\/span><\/span> across leather poufs and the fireplace shelf, a video recording was underway: a <\/span><\/span>young woman<\/span><\/span> with a tablet in hand animatedly explained <\/span><\/span>AI<\/span><\/span> to a man lounging on the sofa (<\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>Are you familiar with Midjourney?<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> \u2013 <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>No, although, yes, I<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>ve heard something about it<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>). The surrounding seats were occupied by individuals with deeply <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>introspective <\/span><\/span>looks<\/span><\/span>, as if they had danced all night<\/span><\/span> and were<\/span><\/span> anticipati<\/span><\/span>ng<\/span><\/span> dawn<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s permission to finally depart<\/span><\/span> home.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\u00a9 Evgeniy Khazheev<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I ventured back upstairs. A combined ensemble of Georgian musicians and Zamyatin <\/span><\/span>were <\/span><\/span>perform<\/span><\/span>ing <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Let It Be<\/em>.<\/span><\/span> Something mesmerizingly London-<\/span><\/span>esque <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>was <\/span><\/span>swirl<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span> around along with feathered hats, <\/span><\/span>a <\/span><\/span>bachelorette party, rhythmic dances, <\/span><\/span>and <\/span><\/span>Firsov embracing young girls. The revelry was a <\/span><\/span>breathing <\/span><\/span>orga<\/span><\/span>nism, <\/span><\/span>a kaleidoscope<\/span><\/span>\u2014<\/span><\/span>bewildering, bewitching, and utterly beguiling. The music, once the <\/span><\/span>evening<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>lead<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>had <\/span><\/span>receded into the background, making way for a <\/span><\/span>far<\/span><\/span> more spontaneous and grander happening. If this magnificent chaos was indeed<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>orchestrated, and if such marvels are customary at Semushkina<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>s <\/span><\/span>parties<\/span><\/span>, then her organizational prowess deserves applause<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
\u00a9 Evgeniy Khazheev<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

P.S. As I journeyed home, guided by the luminescence of a full moon, I remembered it was the<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span>summer solstice. London was adorning<\/span><\/span> itself <\/span><\/span>for the forthcoming pride parade.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maria Semushkina, an event producer and the dynamic force behind the Usadba Jazz festival, began hosting home concerts in 2016 within the confines of her Moscow apartment. As these gatherings outgrew the domestic setting, they migrated to lofts, art spaces, and the city\u2019s panoramic rooftops. After relocating to London, Semushkina started building a community of Russian-speaking talent, including those who had arrived on a global talent visa, all the while preserving the tradition of her gatherings: a monthly rendezvous where she introduces anaudience to her cherished musicians, fostering cross-cultural collaborations within a convivial atmosphere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107,"featured_media":28724,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[86],"tags":[],"type_post":[184],"column":[],"class_list":["post-28714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/107"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28714"},{"taxonomy":"type_post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type_post?post=28714"},{"taxonomy":"column","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/londoncult.co.uk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/column?post=28714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}