Luther's Center Stage Series features internationally acclaimed Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Date 10/15/1998 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureThe internationally acclaimed Moscow Chamber Orchestra takes the stage Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the CFL. The orchestra has earned its stellar reputation with numerous concert appearances in Europe, Asia, and North and South America.
Tickets are $14, $12 for students and senior citizens, and free with CAF, and can be purchased at the Luther Box Office.
Created in 1956 by conductor and violist, Rudolf Barshai, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra has played with many of Russia's greatest solo artists on the stages of the world's premier concert halls.
Influential Russian composers have written music specifically for the ensemble, including Dmitri Shostakovich, who entrusted the premiere of his Fourteenth Symphony to the orchestra.
In 1991 the American pianist and conductor Constantine Orbelian was selected to become music director of the orchestra, the first non-Russian to become a director of an ensemble in Russia.
"Orbelian is doing an excellent job of keeping the orchestra's musical traditions alive," said Weston Noble, director of Luther's Nordic Choir.
Nordic Choir appeared in five concerts with the orchestra during their tour of Russia in June 1997. This was the first time a choir performed with the chamber orchestra. According to Noble, the collaboration has led the orchestra to perform with other choirs.
The ensemble's upcoming visit to Luther is a direct result of the successful joint tour, said Noble.
"The Moscow Chamber Orchestra is made up of highly-skilled performers. They have an excellent ensemble feeling and a very high degree of musicianship," Noble said.
"What we heard was the peak of perfection...our expectations were so far exceeded that one was left open-mouthed in admiration," The New York Times wrote after one sold-out performance.
The ensemble is always a welcome guest in the major musical capitals, and it will be a rare treat to have them perform here at Luther.
--
Angela Doss
Chips Staff Writer
[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]
