Mikhail Simonyan Joins The National Philharmonic Of Russia For A Performance At UConn's Jorgensen Center 4/16

Violinist Mikhail Simonyan joins the spectacular, young National Philharmonic of Russia, under the direction of internationally acclaimed conductor Vladimir Spivakov, for a performance at UConn’s Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, April 16, at 8 pm. A free Concert Talk will precede the performance at 7:15 pm.

The program will include the Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op. 60, by Prokofiev; the Sleeping Beauty Suite, Op. 66a, by Tchaikovsky; and The Fairy’s Kiss: Divertimento by Stravinsky. The Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35, will be performed by award-winning Mikhail Simonyan, one of the most celebrated talents of his generation. The New York Times has praised his "breadth, lyricism and fleet technique." The Miami Herald has declared that Mikhail Simonyan plays "with the poise, perfection and inner burning fire of a master like David Oistrakh – in his prime on a good night."

The National Philharmonic of Russia serves as a cultural ambassador for the country’s dynamic post-reconstruction period. Founded in 2003, it has quickly become a musical symbol of the new Russia. The orchestra features young performers hand-picked from among the country’s musical elite.

Conductor Vladimir Spivakov, is a preeminent violin soloist, recipient of innumerable honors and prizes, and the founder/conductor of the top-notch Moscow Virtuosi. He has forged a musical career of great breadth and depth. Leonard Bernstein, who once presented his baton to Spivakov, declared that the brilliant artist belonged "to the Olympus of Music."

Maestro Spivakov upholds the standards of Russia’s great symphonic traditions, while also turning his attention to rarely performed works, 20th-century pieces, and compositions commissioned specifically for the orchestra. He made his U.S. violin debut in 1975 with the New York Philharmonic and his conducting debut in 1979 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also made more than 20 recordings with the Moscow Virtuosi and various other ensembles, and has been named a UNESCO Artist for Peace.

Jorgensen is located at the University of Connecticut, 2132 Hillside Rd., Storrs. Regular tickets are $33, $37 and $40; some discounts are available. For tickets and information, call 860.486.4226 or order online at www.jorgensen.uconn.edu. Free, convenient indoor parking is available across the street in the North Garage.

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