The Russian National Orchestra is among those ensembles, which didn’t get among the best with slow and hard work over decades, but were inherently designed to be special. Russia's first non-state-run, private financed symphonic orchestra was founded by Mikhail Pletnev in 1990, and almost immediately came to the forefront. The Russian National Orchestra is operating as private institution, from support of private individuals, companies and foundations. After the formation, it earned the international recognition of the profession and audience almost immediately. The prestigious Gramophone magazine lists their Tchaikovsky “Pathetique” symphony record as the best in the history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgLODq5URUo

In Hungary they come on stage two consecutive nights, in two different cities: in Budapest at the Erkel Theatre, where Russian Romantic masterpieces can be heard in a wide range, from the almost unknowns to the popular ones. Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov’s E major ("From the Middle Ages", op. 79) suite could be a thrilling encounter to the public, because this work is almost completely absent from the Hungarian concert repertoire. After the overture of the Suite, the company plays one of Tchaikovsky’s most popular compositions: the violin concerto in D major (Op. 35). As the closing of the concert, Budapest audience can hear the V. Symphony in E minor (Op. 64) born ten years after the violin concerto.

The violin concerto’s soloist will be the multiple award-winner, outstanding young violinist Kristóf Baráti, who has won the first prize of the Paganini International Violin Competition held in Moscow, which is known as the Oscar of violinists. Baráti will play on a Stradivari from 1703 named "Lady Harmsworth”, which is made available by the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unztqaL-A3g

The other one, the concert in Pécs will be different in two things: instead of Violin Concerto in D major the orchestra plays Shostakovich’ cello concerto in G major as the third piece of the evening. And here István Várdai cellist, the winner of the ARD International Cello Competition gets the major role. The orchestra is conducted by the founder, Mikhail Pletnev pianist and conductor on both days.

Program:

Glazunov: Preludes from the “The Middle Ages suite (E major suite)

Tchaikovsky: V. Symphony in E minor

Tchaikovsky: violin concerto in D major (Budapest)

Shostakovich: Cello Concerto in G major (Pécs)

See:

Pécs - Kodály Centre, 01. 23. 2015. 19:00

Budapest - Erkel Theatre, 01. 24. 2015. 19.30