The renowned national symphony orchestra, conducted by Volodymyr Sirenko, will perform in the Schar center at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in a free concert for the community.
Elon University will host the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine on Wednesday, Feb. 19, for a free concert for the community.
Led by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Volodymyr Sirenko, the symphony orchestra will be joined by pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky for the performance in Schar Center that starts at 7:30 p.m. The program features Symphony in C Major by Maksym Brezovsky, Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat Minor, Op. 23 and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90.
Formed by the Council of Ministers of Ukraine in November of 1918, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine is considered to be one of the finest symphony orchestras in Eastern Europe. Its first conductor was Oleksander Horilyj. Natan Rachlin was the artistic director of the orchestra from 1937 until 1962.
Soloists who performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine include Artur Rubinstein, Yehudi Menuhin, Isaac Stern, David Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rostropovich, Emil Gilels, Leonid Kogan, Gidon Kremer, OlehKrysa, Monserrat Caballe, Jose Carreras, and Juan Diego Flores.
The orchestra has gained international recognition over a remarkably short period of time. After an appearance in Moscow, famed composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich commented, “This orchestra has as distinguished a group of performers as one would be likely to find anywhere. The ensemble of the orchestra is of the highest level. In addition, the various soloists and instrumental groups within the Orchestra play exceptionally and complement each other beautifully – as would the greatest of the world’s symphony orchestras.”
Since 1993, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine has released more than 100 sound recordings which include both Ukrainian and international repertoires. Most of these recordings have received the highest international acclaim. The orchestra has performed in successful concert tours throughout Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Belarus, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, England, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.
Download a copy of the program HERE.