Classical Preview: Russian opening to international concerts

SHOWCASING 15 orchestras, the Leeds International Concert Season offers Town Hall audiences a most diverse programme, but do hurry to take advantage of low price season offers that close tomorrow.
By David Denton
Published 19th Aug 2011, 13:49 BST

Three of Russia’s great ensembles are headed by the St Petersburg Philharmonic, Yuri Temirkanov conducting an all-Russian programme with one-time Leeds Piano Competition winner Dmitri Alexeev as soloist in Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.

The Moscow Philharmonic open the season playing Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky (October 8), the Russian Symphony Orchestra bring the brilliant pianist, Tatiana Polianskaya playing Rachmaninov’s Second Concerto (February 11).

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Russian music continues through the 20 concerts, the Halle including Stravinsky’s orchestral showpiece, The Rite of Spring (October 15); Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence ends the Trondheim Soloists’ visit (October 29); the Halle return with Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony (January 14).

The City of Birmingham bring the First Symphony by Tchaikovsky (January 28), while the Orchestra of Opera North have Peter Donohoe playing Rachmaninov’s Third Concerto (April 21).

The Warsaw Philharmonic, (November 19), the European Union Chamber (April 14) and the Berlin Symphony (May 12) complete the overseas lineup.

The season ends with the Leeds Festival and Philharmonic Choruses combining (May 19).

* Leeds International Orchestral Season October 8 – May 12, 0113 2243801.

Related topics:Town HallRussia