Denis Matsuev (1975- ), renowned Russian pianist, winner of the 1998 Chaikovsky competition
120 foreign delegations shall take part in the 12th St Petersburg Economic Forum opening today. Apart from the vast business agenda, the forum offers a varied cultural programme to suit all tastes. It includes a Rogers Waters show, music by the legendary British rock group Pink Floyd, a display of paintings from the Christie’s auction house ranging from the art of the Rococo to Post-Impressionism, a gala performance of world fashion stars, and many other events. Russia as the host side is represented on the widest scale.
The best-known ensembles and soloists have gathered in St Petersburg to demonstrate modern Russian culture and arts in all their rich diversity. For many in the world, Russian culture is associated with ballet. Therefore, it is not surprising that ballet and benefit performances by renowned dancers form the bulk of the forum’s music repertoire, boasting renewed productions of Khachaturyan’s famous ballet Spartakus graced with spectacular scenes of gladiatorial combat, Chaikovsky’s immortal Swan Lake, and ballet galas of Mariinsky and Bolshoi theatre stars Ulyana Lopatkina and Denis Matviyenko.
Choral and symphony concerts conducted by Maestro Vladimir Spivakov will be a treat to connoisseurs of classical music. Those who have the honour of attending a grand reception thrown by the governor of St Petersburg shall be entertained by pianist Denis Matsuev, violinist Sergei Stadler, and jazz saxophonist Igor Butman, each of them embodying the world-renowned brand known as the “Russian performing arts school”.
6 June 2008
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=28104&cid=62&p=06.06.2008 (in English)
