“… Her playing is brilliant, glassy, supremely aggressive and dazzlingly virtuosic in the Horowitz manner.”  – Tim Page, The Washington Post

On May 22, the 30-piece orchestra will perform Arnold Schoenberg’s lush Verklarte Nacht (Transfigured Night), Aria by Friedrich Gulda, Aria and two tangos by Astor Piazzolla, with accordion solo.

Olga Kern, the first woman in over 30 years to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, joins the orchestra in the first half for Haydn’s Piano Concerto No. 11 in D, Hob. XVIII. In the second half, she returns for the witty, often sardonic Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor for Piano, Trumpet and String Orchestra by Dmitri Shostakovich.

Thanks to Simona and Alex Shnaider generous contribution, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Princess Margaret Hospital.

With her vivid stage presence, passionately confident musicianship and extraordinary technique, the striking young Russian pianist Olga Kern captured the Gold Medal in the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and has gone on to captivate fans and critics alike worldwide. She records exclusively for Harmonia Mundi, including her Van Cliburn performances.

Maestro Spivakov is Principal Conductor of both the Moscow Virtuosi and the National Philharmonic of Russia, as well as founder of the Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation, which helps both talented and sick children. Vladimir Spivakov and the Moscow Virtuosi have released over 30 recordings on the BMG/RCA Victor Red Seal label with such illustrious guest stars as Evgeny Kissin and Mikhail Rudy, amongst others.

Media Relations:
Linda Litwack
416-782-7837
E-mail: lalitwack at rogers.com