Professional reviews
“Those players of Barg’s were crackling with life and inspiration and filled with the joy of making music. They were enjoying themselves, too, just as the big, imposing Barg was enjoying himself as he conducted, soaring on the music, real music, and let those who understood come along for the ride.” Berkshire Eagle (MA)
Magnetism, inner power and expressive gestures - this is Barg the conductor. The music flowed from the least movement of his baton and brought us into a moving world of meaning and feeling. With love for the music, the souls of the musicians were shining; that’s why it was so wonderful for the audience.” Philadelphia Inquirer
“One of the elements of this success is Barg’s flair for the dramatic musical utterance and constant concern to keep the concert experience lively and exciting."
Albany Times Union
“Maestro David Barg's concert appearance became one of the culminations in the performing history of the famous St. Petersburg orchestra.
At the concert which took part on Easter Sunday, David Barg created real miracles with the orchestra's sonority. From the first bars Maestro Barg gave such a passionate feeling to the musicians of the orchestra, which was kept until the very end. His big, impressive, and tall figure was hanging over the orchestra. He looked more like a shaman-magician than a conductor.
Four composers - four different styles, epochs, and mentalities. David Barg presented an absolutely precise, artistic and emotionally striking interpretation. In the hands of this American missionary, the full symphony orchestra of over eighty musicians sounded as one unit, overwhelming the audience with its distinctive symphonic personality.”
Vladimir Dudin, Editor: Journal of the Kirov Theatre (St. Petersburg, RU)
“We received a musical ambassador who impressed everyone he met with his unending energy, enthusiasm and ability to inspire the same in others.
Barg’s highly demonstrative conducting style got the National Symphony’s (Quito) players excited. They were applauding after the rehearsals, something that “never happens,” according to the concertmaster. In Guayaquil, the Symphony Foundation tells us that their musicians had never played better than the night of Barg’s concert.”
Cultural Officer, US Embassy, Quito, Ecuador
“When his arms go up to begin a piece, an explosion of adrenaline infuses the orchestra. His musicians distill all the music from each note and press it passionately against the souls of the listeners.”
Hoy, Guayaquil (Ecuador)
“Maestro Barg amazed the audience with his profound understanding of such diverse styles as those of Bach, Shostakovich, Barber and Schnittke, and his interpretations had nothing of the ordinary or traditional.
He brought forth from the musicians spontaneous and original readings of well-known works by these composers. Barg’s music was a revelation to us, as the conductor, musicians and listeners became one indivisible whole.”
Moscow Courant
“The concert which you conducted has been considered one of the most interesting actions of the International Festival of Modern Music “Moscow Autumn.
You have succeeded in deep understanding of the contents of the Moscow composers’ new pieces and to present them in a brilliant interpretation. Your sociability, your light and at the same time efficient work style, has impressed our orchestra immensely.”
Oleg Galakhov, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Moscow Composers
“In his concert with the “Seasons of the Year” Chamber Orchestra, Barg’s interpretation of Mozart emerged as a unique and organic blend of emotional and tragic elements graced with a gossamer-like airiness. He comprehended the music’s essential nature; perhaps that was why the works left such a profound, lasting impression deep in the listeners’ souls."
Moscow South
Magnetism, inner power and expressive gestures - this is Barg the conductor. The music flowed from the least movement of his baton and brought us into a moving world of meaning and feeling. With love for the music, the souls of the musicians were shining; that’s why it was so wonderful for the audience.” Philadelphia Inquirer
“One of the elements of this success is Barg’s flair for the dramatic musical utterance and constant concern to keep the concert experience lively and exciting."
Albany Times Union
“Maestro David Barg's concert appearance became one of the culminations in the performing history of the famous St. Petersburg orchestra.
At the concert which took part on Easter Sunday, David Barg created real miracles with the orchestra's sonority. From the first bars Maestro Barg gave such a passionate feeling to the musicians of the orchestra, which was kept until the very end. His big, impressive, and tall figure was hanging over the orchestra. He looked more like a shaman-magician than a conductor.
Four composers - four different styles, epochs, and mentalities. David Barg presented an absolutely precise, artistic and emotionally striking interpretation. In the hands of this American missionary, the full symphony orchestra of over eighty musicians sounded as one unit, overwhelming the audience with its distinctive symphonic personality.”
Vladimir Dudin, Editor: Journal of the Kirov Theatre (St. Petersburg, RU)
“We received a musical ambassador who impressed everyone he met with his unending energy, enthusiasm and ability to inspire the same in others.
Barg’s highly demonstrative conducting style got the National Symphony’s (Quito) players excited. They were applauding after the rehearsals, something that “never happens,” according to the concertmaster. In Guayaquil, the Symphony Foundation tells us that their musicians had never played better than the night of Barg’s concert.”
Cultural Officer, US Embassy, Quito, Ecuador
“When his arms go up to begin a piece, an explosion of adrenaline infuses the orchestra. His musicians distill all the music from each note and press it passionately against the souls of the listeners.”
Hoy, Guayaquil (Ecuador)
“Maestro Barg amazed the audience with his profound understanding of such diverse styles as those of Bach, Shostakovich, Barber and Schnittke, and his interpretations had nothing of the ordinary or traditional.
He brought forth from the musicians spontaneous and original readings of well-known works by these composers. Barg’s music was a revelation to us, as the conductor, musicians and listeners became one indivisible whole.”
Moscow Courant
“The concert which you conducted has been considered one of the most interesting actions of the International Festival of Modern Music “Moscow Autumn.
You have succeeded in deep understanding of the contents of the Moscow composers’ new pieces and to present them in a brilliant interpretation. Your sociability, your light and at the same time efficient work style, has impressed our orchestra immensely.”
Oleg Galakhov, Chairman of the Board of the Union of Moscow Composers
“In his concert with the “Seasons of the Year” Chamber Orchestra, Barg’s interpretation of Mozart emerged as a unique and organic blend of emotional and tragic elements graced with a gossamer-like airiness. He comprehended the music’s essential nature; perhaps that was why the works left such a profound, lasting impression deep in the listeners’ souls."
Moscow South