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The Moscow Virtuosi Celebrate their 35th Anniversary with Concert in Music Center at Strathmore
Maestro Vladimir Spivakov leads the highly acclaimed ensemble in a program of Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Mozart, and Piazzolla on May 10 at 7pm.
Hailed by The Washington Post as “a dramatically unified ensemble [with] a sound that would put many full orchestras to shame,” the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra returns to the Washington area to celebrate their 35th anniversary at the Music Center at Strathmore. Led by Maestro Vladimir Spivakov, one of the world’s preeminent violinists and conductors, the Moscow Virtuosi have set the gold standard for chamber orchestras since 1979. For tickets, call 301-581-5100 or click here.
On May 10, Maestro Spivakov will lead the Moscow Virtuosi in an exuberant program of favorites from beloved Russian composers and more. The program will open with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s charming Divertimento No.3 in F Major (K.138), followed by Tchaikovsky’s lush Serenade for Strings (Op. 48) a definitive composition of the late-Romantic era. The first half of the program closes with two works by Dmitri Shostakovich, a giant of Russian modernism: the Prelude and Scherzo (Op. 11), and the Elegy and Polka (Op. 36). After intermission, the program concludes with Astor Piazzolla’s grand suite La Historia del Tango, arranged for violin and orchestra by Alexey Strelnikov. Each of the suite’s four movements evokes a specific moment in the history of this passionate Argentinean dance.
Over the years, the Moscow Virtuosi have become world-renowned for their “precision, style and panache” (Chicago Classical Review). Not only do the orchestra members play exceptionally well together, they are each incredible virtuosos in their own right. Listeners have come to expect nothing less than the best from the Moscow Virtuosi, and Strathmore patrons should expect the same as this important ensemble celebrates 35 years of excellence.
About the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra:
In 1978, virtuoso violinist and conductor Vladimir Spivakov joined with a group of his friends and artistic associates—most of whom were winners of international music competitions—to found the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra.
Launching an artistic group at an artist’s initiative was by no means common practice in the Soviet Union, since only governmental bodies could authorize the establishment of professional orchestras. It was not until 1983 that the Moscow Virtuosi gained official government recognition and support. Since 2003, the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra has made its home at the Moscow International Performing Arts Center, affectionately known as “The House of Music.” Each year, the orchestra performs over 100 concerts, mostly on tours. The Moscow Virtuosi have toured extensively throughout the world, including appearances in Europe, Japan, and North and South America. The orchestra made its triumphant U.S. debut in 1987 and has since undertaken 10 highly acclaimed tours of this country.
Exceptional artistic talent, a concern for musical details and nuances, creative interpretation of composers’ concepts, and love—both for the pieces performed and for the audience—set the Moscow Virtuosi Orchestra apart from many other chamber orchestras.
The Moscow Virtuosi have participated in famous international music festivals in Salzburg, Austria; Edinburgh, Scotland; Florence and Pompeii, Italy; Lucerne and Gstaad, Switzerland; Schleswig-Golstein and the Rheingau, Germany; and many other locales. The Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra is the Resident Orchestra, and Mr. Spivakov the Artistic Director, of France’s widely acclaimed Colmar International Festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.
The Moscow Virtuosi and Vladimir Spivakov have an extensive discography on the BMG/RCAVictor Red Seal label.
Their recorded repertoire ranges from Vivaldi, Bach, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert to such 20th-century composers as Prokofiev, Penderecki, Hartmann, Shostakovich and Schnittke.
The Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra tour is presented by Maestro Artist Management www.maestroartist.com
About Maestro Artist Management:
Maestro Artist Management (MAM), a full-service production, touring and promotion company that focuses on presenting international artists in various genres, from classical music and dance to theatre and world music, to audiences in the US. MAM’s public relations and event management team assists other art management agencies, venues and festivals in promoting their own musical programs. Maestro Artist Management presents at Strathmore Hall on a regular basis, bringing such celebrated international artists and ensembles as Yuri Bashmet, Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra, Vadim Repin, Vladir Spivakov, Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, OIga Kern, Denis Matsuev, Michel Legrand, Max Raabe, Palast Orchester, and Alexander Ghindin to local audiences. Visit www.maestroartist.com for more information.
