Russian State Symphony Orchestra/ Petrenko ****
Cadogan Hall, 4th October 2018
What’s in a title? The Russian State Symphony Orchestra isn’t exactly a familiar name to UK audiences. Their official moniker provides a clue: the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Russia “Evgeny Svetlanov”. Yes, this is essentially Svetlanov’s old band, the USSR State Symphony Orchestra, much recorded in brazen, often caustic sound on the Soviet state label, Melodiya. Current Artistic Director Vladimir Jurowski is a familiar face in London, but at a packed Cadogan Hall, it was Principal Guest Conductor Vasily Petrenko at the helm for a Rachmaninov Second Symphony which would have had old Evgeny purring with delight.
Vasily Petrenko
© Mark McNulty
Read the full review on Bachtrack.