Five years ago, the conductor and virtuoso violinist Vladimir Spivakov founded the National Philharmonic of Russia. Under his artistic direction and with the backing of President Vladimir Putin and the Ministry of Culture, the orchestra has become the musical symbol of Russia and the nation’s soul.
On Friday, their extensive U.S. tour brings Spivakov and the orchestra to George Mason University’s Center for the Arts with an all-Russian program. It opens with Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” Fantasy-Overture, followed by Prokoviev’s “Masks,” “Death of Tybalt,” two other pieces from his “Romeo and Juliet” Suites and Liadov’s tone poem “The Enchanted Lake.”
Powerhouse pianist Denis Matsuev, whose collaboration with the Sergei Rachmaninoff Foundation enabled him to perform and record previously unknown pieces on the composer’s own piano, will perform Rachmaninoff’s vivacious “Piano Concerto No. 1.” The 1917 revision reflects the composer’s growth since writing the first version at age 19.
“This is one of the most difficult concertos for an orchestra to accompany,” Spivakov says. “Rachmaninoff studied with Scriabin, but he went his own way. Likewise, Prokofiev studied with Liadov, and yet their music is quite different. Liadov is like a Russian Debussy. ‘The Enchanted Lake’ we’re playing is very colorful, peaceful and beautiful.”
Not only is Spivakov a foremost Russian conductor and violin soloist, the founder and conductor of the Moscow Virtuosi and a welcome guest artist with major orchestras worldwide, but he is also a human rights activist, working on behalf of victims of war and earthquakes. His concern about children’s health inspired him to fund hospitals where youngsters can have outstanding care, including open heart surgery.
At the same time, his International Charity Foundation has done great good for young musicians and conductors.
“Children and the old people are the most feeble element in our society,” he says. “They suffer the most, so 15 years ago I thought, What can I do? Many of the children we started with have won golden prizes around the world. Music is something I do for myself, but my charitable foundation is for others. If I help more than one thousand children become well, or realize their talents, or help old people not to lose hope, then I am happy. There is no greater satisfaction than seeing joy on their faces.”
The ICF is housed in Spivakov’s gift to the city of Moscow, the Moscow International Performing Arts Center. One of the largest and most spectacular performing arts centers in Europe, it has three halls, one holding 2,000 people, one for chamber concerts holding 700 and a smaller one for more intimate programs.
“At first it was not easy to fill because the public is very conservative and not quick to change their habits,” he says. “We finally convinced them to go to the new hall and now it is always filled. After our tour, we will have a big festival there with thousands of children from all over the world. They will play together, attend master classes and the best will perform in the Kremlin. I am here to make people happy, whether by helping young children achieve their dreams or giving the audiences the gift of Russian music from the soul.”
If you go
Artistic Director Vladimir Spivakov conducts the National Philharmonic of Russia in an all-Russian program
Where: George Mason University Center for the Arts
When: 8 p.m. April 24 (pre-performance discussion on the center’s Grand Tier III begins at 7:15 p.m.)
Info: $30 to $60; 888-945-2468; tickets.com
