Razor-Edged Precision: Mikhail Pletnev & the Rachmaninoff International Orchestra
“The two-day concert series… was a testament to the unparalleled solidarity achieved by this community of musicians. Founded by Pletnev after he left the Russian National Orchestra (RNO) in 2022, the RIO is an elite ensemble dedicated to realizing his artistic ideals. Comprising many of the core principal players from the RNO’s heyday, the orchestra demonstrated its capability as a seamless extension of the conductor, perfectly reflecting Pletnev’s signature razor-sharp precision.
“[In Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture]… the RIO displayed flawless, unwavering cohesion. Their synchronized breathing and crystalline sound revealed the depth of the bond they share…
“Young virtuoso Daniel Lozakovich did not merely cloak… [Schuman’s Violin Concerto] in smooth, beautiful tones. Through precise control of his bow, he chillingly revealed the fissures and poignant pathos hidden within the music's soliloquies. Pletnev’s accompaniment was akin to chamber music-style interplay. [He] perfectly controlled the dynamics, allowing even the soloist’s most delicate pianissimo to ring out with clarity. …
“Rachmaninoff’s symphonic poem The Rock and Pletnev’s own composition, Rachmaniana, marked the highlight of the performance… Pletnev and the RIO demonstrated not only deep emotional resonance but also the reality of that "razor-sharp precision”… Pletnev approached [The Rock] with a modern, objective perspective, stepping back to view it with fresh insight… “The performance of Pletnev’s Rachmaniana showcased the artistic pinnacle of a musician who has spent a lifetime exploring the very essence of Rachmaninoff’s work … The nuanced layering of strings, the organic, weaving contrapuntal lines of the woodwinds, and the restrained roar of the brass sculpted Rachmaninoff’s music into a texture of 21st-century clarity. The overwhelming virtuosity of the principal woodwind players—who had already commanded global acclaim under Pletnev’s guidance during the RNO era—maximized the tonal layering between the instrumental sections…
“By exercising extreme restraint over emotional outbursts, Pletnev’s keen intellect allowed for a deeper exploration into the very essence and abyss of tragedy; over the course of two days, he perfectly imprinted a vision of Russian music’s most sophisticated and dignified modern evolution.”
Kim Jun-hyung, Music Columnist
The Preview
