The Masterpieces and Premieres

Event date & time: 01.06.2015 в 19:00, Monday

The subscription series “Masterpieces and Premieres” is one of the principal projects of Musica Viva chamber orchestra, its title reflecting the basic directions of the orchestra’s artistic activity. Programs in the series are formed on the principle of combining acknowledged masterpieces of classical music with compositions that have seldom, if ever, been heard in Russia. Over the many years of its existence, the series has undertaken yet another task, that of presenting to the Russian public performers from abroad, primarily soloists and conductors who have already gained recognition in Europe but are little known to listeners here.

The final concert of “Masterpieces and Premieres” takes place on July 1, 2015. The program includes two acknowledged masterpieces – Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. In addition, Alexander Rudin and the orchestra will perform a work that undoubtedly qualifies as a rarity, a cello concerto by Austrian composer Antonin Kraft (1752 – 1820). Kraft’s concerto was first heard in Russia several years ago in a performance by Rudin and Musica Viva. On the podium will be English conductor Matthew Halls, already known to Moscow listeners from to his appearance with Musica Viva in 2012, when he replaced Sir Roger Norrington, who had fallen ill, in a program of music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. That appearance drew both cheers from the audience and rave reviews from the critics.