Russian Music Festival Showcases Rich Symphonic Tradition of Mother Russia

Dazzling showpieces of Russian music, including works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Shostakovich, were featured in an exhilarating two-night Russian Music Festival celebrating the rich symphonic tradition of the Land of the Tsars January 22-23 at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Conducted by Music Director Thomas Wilkins, the festival featured two different programs, as well as a different guest artist, each night. The Friday, January 22 concert included Lucas’s Festival Celebration Music in a Russian Style, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Overture to The Tsar’s Bride, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini featuring guest pianist Gleb Ivanov, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, “Pathétique.” The Saturday evening concert included Shostakovich’s Ballet Suite No. 1, Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A Minor featuring guest violinist Caroling Goulding, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, arranged by Ravel.

Wilkins said he chose this season’s festival theme to showcase the broad arc of Russian music, which is the fourth annual two-night festival the symphony has performed. Other festivals have included the music of Antonin Dvořák, music of the Americas, and last year’s Northern Lights Festival, which highlighted Scandinavian composers.

The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization that presents more than 100 live orchestral performances from September through June.  For tickets or information regarding the Omaha Symphony, call (402) 345-0606 or visit omahasymphony.org.