Chamber Orchestra Kremlin to perform at UNH Celebrity Series

The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, one of the world’s leading string orchestras, will perform at UNH March 1, 2005. This renowned group of musicians led by conductor Misha Rachlevsky will take the stage in the Johnson Theatre of the Paul Creative Arts Center at 8 p.m.

Rachlevsky studied at the Moscow Conservatory and the Gnessin Institute of Moscow before leaving the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Rachlevsky eventually settled in the United States where he became increasingly active in the field of chamber music, founding the New American Chamber Orchestra (NACO) and leading it to international prominence with tours in the United States and Europe.

Returning to Russia in 1991, Rachlevsky founded the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin. The orchestra boasts a dozen CDs with Swiss recording label Claves. Several of their recordings have earned the orchestra esteemed awards such as the Diapason d’Or in Paris, the Gramophone Critic’s Choice in London and Record of the Year in Hong Kong. With such awards to its credit, it is little surprise that the Washington Post insists “add the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin to your list of first-rate chamber ensembles.”

In addition to their highly successful regular concerts to loyal and enthusiastic audiences in Moscow, the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin has toured Europe, the United States and the Far East.

The chosen program for the UNH performance will feature music of one of America’s most significant composers of the 20th century, John Corigliano, including Voyage for String Orchestra, Symphony No. 2 for String Orchestra (Pulitzer Prize 2001), and Suite from the film "The Red Violin" (Oscar 2000). This last piece has been rescored by Misha Rachlevsky, featuring each of the orchestra’s nine violinists alternating as soloists. Upon hearing the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin perform Rachlevsky’s rescored version of the suite, original composer Corigliano exclaimed, “Bravos were heard in the hall at the performance – and some of them were mine. The concert of my compositions was one of the best of any I have ever heard of my music. I am truly grateful.”

Corigliano will also be working with the UNH Wind Symphony on a piece, speaking with other composers, and talking with the entire music major student body. This residency is funded in part by a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts and Meet the Composer, Inc., with additional support from ASCAP, The Virgil Thomson Fund, and with additional support from the six New England state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts.

"No less than five encores were called for and played willingly and received with delight. What led to this end was an impressive display of musicianship," said the Los Angeles Times.

"Absolutely together throughout, the ensemble playing was stunning. Three encores emerged through a rapturous ovation," raved The Glasgow Herald, Scotland.

"The ensemble of 18 young string players sounded fresh and energetic, and they responded to Mr. Rachlevsky with an admirable flexibility," according to the New York Times.

Tickets for the evening’s performance, priced at $35 general admission, $30 faculty/staff and senior citizens, $15 for UNH Students, are available at the Memorial Union Ticket Office at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by calling 862-2290. Additional information at http://www.unh.edu/celebrity.