Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra Founder and critically acclaimed Russian Cellist, Ruslan Biryukov, will perform composer Sergei Prokofiev's "Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125" as a Guest Soloist with two different orchestras in two separate upcoming concerts to be held here in the Southland. Biryukov will waive his appearance fees and donate his time to appear in each concert during these challenging economic times. The first concert is scheduled on Sunday, May 23, 2010 with the Olympia Youth Orchestra; the second concert is scheduled for Sunday, June 6, 2010 with the West Covina Symphony.
Fung Ho, Music Director and Conductor of the Olympia Youth Orchestra said: " It is wonderful for students and I to work with such a dynamic cellist as Ruslan Biryukov, who brings so much energy into all his performances. As such, the audience will not be disappointed. The remainder of the program will give concertgoers a taste of popular melodies written by composers from different geographical areas in Europe."
Dr. Sylvia Mann, Music Director and Conductor of the West Covina Symphony said: "We are very fortunate to have such as seasoned cellist as Ruslan Biryukov appearing with our symphony in Prokofiev's ‘Sinfonia Concertante' which is a very demanding piece of music requiring a leading soloist with virtuosic abilities to play in tandem with the symphony. I know Ruslan Biryukov is up to the task."
The first performance will be with the Olympia Youth Orchestra, under the baton of Fung Ho, Music Director and Conductor, in a concert entitled, "A Musical Taste of Europe," to be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. in the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse; 320 S. Mission Drive; San Gabriel, CA 91776. Aside from Sergei Prokofiev's "Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125" performed by Biryukov and the orchestra, other repertoire on the program will include: Gioacchino Rossini's Overture to his early opera, "La Scala di Seta;" Giuseppe Verdi's "Prelude to Act III" from his opera, "La Traviata;" Edvard Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1;" and Bedrich Smetana's "Three Dances" from his opera "The Bartered Bride." Admission is free. Parking is available in a lot next to the venue at a cost of $5 per car. The venue is wheelchair accessible. To request and reserve tickets, and for further information, please call 323-445-6558 or visit online at www.CelloArt.com.
The second performance will be with the West Covina Symphony, under the baton of Dr. Sylvia Mann, Music Director and Conductor, in a concert entitled "Music of the Masters - IV," to be held on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College; 1000 Foothill Boulevard; Glendora, CA 91747. Aside from Sergei Prokofiev's "Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125" performed by Biryukov and the orchestra, other repertoire on the program will include: "Capriccio Español" by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov; "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Franz Liszt; and "Violin Concerto in D minor," Third Movement, by Jean Sibelius. Tickets are $20 VIP, $10 Reserved and $5 Seniors. Free parking is available at the venue. For tickets and further information, please call 323-445-6558 or visit online at www.CelloArt.com.
Sergei Prokofiev's "Symphony-Concerto in E-minor," (also referred to as "Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125"), is a large-scale work scored for cello and orchestra, which was dedicated to renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, who premiered the work on February 18, 1952 under the baton of conductor Sviatoslav Richter. The 40-minute piece is composed in three movements. The first movement is an 11-minute Andante, followed by a second movement 18-minute Allegro, ending with an third movement 11-minute Andante con moto - Allegro - Allegro marcato.
About The Artists:
Ruslan Biryukov (?????? ???????) (Cello Soloist) (of Silver Lake) In a recent reviews of his performances, The Beverly Hills Outlook wrote: "Ruslan Biryukov is an astonishing young cellist," while www.reviewplays.com wrote: "To say his performance was incredible would not do it justice." Biryukov has served as the Former General Director of Concert Department of Association "Russian Performing School" (Rostropovich Foundation) in Moscow for four years from 1998 - 2002. Since the age of 11 he has performed professionally, starting in 1995 when he began playing up to 150 performances annually as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the world, including countries in the former USSR, in Europe, and in the United States. As a chamber musician he has appeared with world-renowned violinist, Midori at Disney Hall in Los Angeles, with cellist Kirill Rodin, and with members of the Ysave Quartet. He is the only cello soloist to be invited for seven years in a row to perform solo recitals at LACMA's Sunday's Live Concert Series broadcast live on the radio and online. He was the only Russian Cello Soloist invited to perform during the opening season of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, where he performed Mozart's "Cello Concerto." He first earned international recognition by winning major awards in Azerbaijan and by having his name included in the Gold Book of Russia's international program "New Names." Biryukov has gone on to win numerous other awards worldwide, including First Prize in the 17th Mu Phi Epsilon International Competition. Biryukov is also the Founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and the Producer and Artistic Director of Positive Motions Concert Series, a chamber music concert series based in the Los Angeles area. Biryukov was most recently presented in concert by the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in a Command Performance for Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Maria Valdimirovna Romanoff, who was making her first official visit to Los Angeles as Head of the Russian Imperial Family. To read more about Ruslan Biryukov, please visit www.celloart.com or www.glendalephilharmonic.com.
