Australian Premiere
Maxim Rysanov with
Robert Doyle
Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra
and Alexander Sitkovetsky
“Tall, handsome, dark-eyed,
Maxim Rysanov looks Byronic;
on stage, he accentuates the look
by wearing stove-pipe trousers
along with sweeping tails.
But it is the thrilling sound
he draws from his viola that is
the authentic voice of Byron’s
and Strauss’s young hero.”
The Guardian (UK)
(Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania)
Following landmark
performances at Amsterdam’s
Concertgebouw, London’s Royal
Festival Hall and the Berliner
Philharmonie, the renowned
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra
makes its exclusive Australian
debut, directed by one of the
world’s premier viola players, the
charismatic Maxim Rysanov.
A European institution since Lithuania’s
1960s Soviet era, the Lithuanian Chamber
Orchestra has for decades toured the
auditoria and concert halls of Europe and
the Americas, stirring audiences with their
fresh, nuanced renditions of classical works,
led by the legendary Lord Yehudi Menuhin
until his death in 1999.
Known for their dynamism and vividly stylish
interpretations, the Lithuanian Chamber
Orchestra has frequently been chosen to
perform world premiere compositions by such
celebrated composers as Alfred Schnittke,
Peteris Vasks and Arvo Pärt.
16
Indeed, the orchestra’s multiple recordings
of Mozart, Haydn and Handel belie the
tremendous range of their repertoire, and for
these specially curated concerts, works by
Kancheli, Tabakova and Woolrich join more
familiar masterpieces by Schubert, Vivaldi
and Mozart.
Joining this internationally acclaimed
chamber ensemble for these two very special
performances is prodigious viola talent
Maxim Rysanov.
Legendary for both his charisma and his
virtuosity, Ukrainian-born Rysanov is nothing
less than a rock star of the classical scene.
One of the great young musicians of our
time, he has been acclaimed both as a prolific
recording artist and a keen chamber musician.
Bringing an impressive assurance and musical
intelligence to his work, Rysanov has exploded
traditional notions about the viola’s role in
classical compositions.
The recipient of numerous awards, Rysanov
was recently confirmed as one of the hottest
classical artists of the moment, as the star
soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra for
last year’s prestigious Last Night of the Proms.
Program 1
Event Information
Shubert (arr. Tabakova) Arpeggione Sonata
Tabakova Suite in an Old Style
Mozart Sinfonia Concertante
Melbourne Recital Centre
Elisabeth Murdoch Hall
Program 2
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Woolrich Ulysses Awakes
Kancheli Twilight
Both Programs performed by
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra
Viola Maxim Rysanov
Violin Alexander Sitkovetsky
“His playing is fabulous and
deeply moving. Mind blowing.”
Gramophone Magazine (UK)
“Rysanov is one of the most
charismatic musicians performing
in the world today.” Mary Vallentine AO,
CEO Melbourne Recital Centre
Wed 12 Oct at 8pm – Program 1
Thu 13 Oct at 8pm – Program 2
1hr 30min including interval
A Reserve Full $75
A Reserve Groups (8+) $67.50
A Reserve Concession $56.25
B Reserve Full $60
B Reserve Concession $45
Student (A & B Reserve) $25
Transaction & booking fees may apply
As October approaches, arts lovers
all over Melbourne look forward to
new and unexpected performances,
or much-admired artists visiting our
international festival.
We all have our favourite Melbourne
Festival moments. From The Black
Arm Band to the Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra, and Philip Glass to John Cale,
audiences in our city have enjoyed the
finest entertainment. The Festival has
hosted works spanning the lyrical and
provocative, from Peter Greenaway’s
Leonardo’s Last Supper, to Bill Viola’s
astonishing video art.
Dance, music, art and theatre bring our
city to life, particularly at festival time. I
look forward to the Festival’s continued
vigor, as Australia’s leading performers
share the stage with international stars.
Free entertainment is also a popular
part of the Festival, and the City of
Melbourne is proud once again to be
a major supporter of arts and cultural
events all over the city.
Robert Doyle
Save up to 20%. See page 73 for details.
Melbourne Recital Centre (03) 9699 3333
melbournerecital.com.au
Ticketmaster 1300 723 038
melbournefestival.com.au
Andrew Bain, Saul Lewis, Vicki Philipson and Michael Pisani perform
courtesy of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Image Irina Podushko
Supported by
Public Partner
17