VIII Moscow Music Festival “Vladimir Spivakov Invites …”
The VIII Moscow Music Festival "Vladimir Spivakov Invites ..." is being held at the Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International Performing Arts Center from November 8 to December 24, 2015.
The vector of Vladimir Spivakov's biennial festival is directed, more than ever, towards the future: the concerts feature both world-famous artistes and young rising stars - new winners of prestigious international competitions. "To pave the way for the youth is very important - says Maestro Spivakov, - the same goals are striven for by my children's fund and the congenial V. Krainev fund as well as by the new contest that bears his name. The first V. Krainev Moscow Competition for Young Pianists, founded on the initiative of Vladimir Spivakov and Tatiana Tarasova, was held in the Moscow International Performing Arts Center this spring. 10-year-old Shio Okui from Japan, the winner in the youngest group, who conquered the hearts of the Jury and the audience, has been invited to the Vladimir Spivakov Festival and will play with the "Moscow Virtuosi". Pianist George Li (USA), violinist Clara-Jumi Kang (Germany) and cellist Alexander Ramm, the young soloists who brightly manifested their talents at the XV Tchaikovsky International Competition, will perform with the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia. Vladimir Spivakov has often supported future competitors and contributed to the further advancement of the laureates. The Festival continues this tradition.
Among the young musicians, for whom Vladimir Spivakov also has high hopes, are pianist Andrew Tyson (USA), violinists Daniel Lozakovich (Sweden) and Ray Chen (Taiwan - Australia). 14-year-old prodigy Lozakovich, who had his big stage debut in 2010 with the "Moscow Virtuosi", has won since several competitions in Europe and the USA and the "Nutcracker" TV Contest in Moscow. Over just a few years he has made such a rapid artistic ascent, that many more experienced artists could envy him. Andrew Tyson, whose international reputation is growing day by day, won the First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Geza Anda Competition in Zurich in June 2015. Ray Chen, who plays the Stradivari that once belonged to Joseph Joachim, is the winner of the Menuhin Competition in Cardiff and the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels. The all three are flawless virtuosi and outstanding musicians, being each a strong personality who has much to say to the listener.
Search and support of young talents have been a major area of interest for Denis Matsuev as well. The phenomenal pianist, belonging to the closest circle of Vladimir Spivakov's friends, Denis Matsuev invariably remains a constant partner of the Maestro and his orchestra. The musicians will meet at the Festival stage twice: at the opening concert with the participation of the "Moscow Virtuosi" they will perform works by Schnittke and Lutoslawski, and in December they will bring to the audience some popular works by Grieg, recently recorded with the NPR for Sony (the album titled "A Wounded Heart" ).
The highlights of the Festival include traditionally outstanding singers. World opera star Dmitry Korchak, one of the best specialists in bel canto, will give a solo concert. He will also sing Mozart in Rimsky-Korsakov's "Mozart and Salieri" scheduled for the Festival final concert. The part of Salieri will be sung by famous bass Ildar Abdrazakov, the holder of two Grammy Awards, who embellishes the best opera venues in the world. In 2012, Korchak and Abdrazakov brilliantly performed "Mozart and Salieri" at the Salzburg Festival, and now, thanks to Vladimir Spivakov, the remarkable tandem will repeat it in Moscow.