Music: J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven, F. Chopin, J. Brahms, R. Schumann, C. Debussy, S. Prokofiev, E. Yasÿe, G. Kancheli, A. Piazzolla, A. Igudesman

Aleksey Igudesman completed violin studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, though his talents and career, in which he has cooperated with many acclaimed musicians (Gidon Kremer, Julian Rachlin, Vadim Repin, etc.), also include composition, conducting, acting and comedy. The Music Critic is a show in which Igudesman has combined in an entertaining and provocative manner performances of famous works by different composers (Bach, Beethoven, Piazzolla, Kancheli, etc.) and the first reactions by critics, which would nowadays seem strange because of their disapproving tone. Igudesman even convinced American actor John Malkovich to act in the show. Malkovich already played the role of narrator on the Ljubljana Festival stage in 2017. With his charismatic performance, he perfectly acts out the deprecating and sometimes derisive stance of music critics towards the works of musical masters whom we still enjoy listening to today. This performance, with its original concept and outstanding musicians and actors, entertains us and at the same time reminds us that art critics are always treading on the thin ice of personal convictions, social norms and true art.