If the recent Van Cliburn International Piano Competition didn’t satisfy your need for Russian classical music (all three medalists chose Russian concertos for the final round), then the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra has you covered. Over the course of three weekend concerts, the Russian Music Festival will showcase the works of two iconic Russian composers: Sergei Rachmaninoff and Peter Tchaikovsky. This lineup is a sharp departure from the last two festivals, which overviewed several American composers, including Samuel Barber, George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland.
Rachmaninoff, a pupil of Tchaikovsky’s, developed his dual career as composer/pianist around his four piano concerti. His romantic Second Piano Concerto will be performed by Cliburn semifinalist Alessandro Deljavan while the devilishly difficult Third will be performed by crystal award winner Sean Chen.
Tchaikovsky may be best remembered for the obligatory winter performances of his ballet The Nutcracker, but his greatest creations were his symphonies. FWSO music director Miguel Harth-Bedoya will conduct Tchaikovsky’s final three symphonies, ending with the introspective Sixth Symphony known as the “Pathétique.” Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto will be performed by the recent Cliburn silver medalist Beatrice Rana. — Edward Brown
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Russian Music Festival runs Fri-Sun at Bass Hall, 525 Commerce St, FW.
Tickets are $16-65. Call 817-665-6000.
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