Programme:
I. Stravinsky: Concerto in D, for string orchestra
A. Schnittke: Sonata No. 1 for solo violin, harpsichord, and strings
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S. Prokofiev/ R. Barshai: »Visions Fugitives«, for strings, op. 22 (selection)
A. Raskatov: 5′ from life of W.A.M. for solo violin, strings and percussion
L. Desyatnikov, arr. D. Sitkovesky: Seven preludes from Songs of Bukovina for strings
D. Shostakovich: Prelude and Scherzo, op. 11

The programme of “The Russians are Coming!” includes works by twentieth-century Russian composers that are part of the standard repertoire of chamber ensembles throughout the world, alongside arrangements of some very interesting pieces originally composed for piano. The concert, which takes its title from a well-known Cold War comedy film with a happy ending, will begin with the performance of Igor Stravinsky’s string orchestra masterpiece Concerto in D. Dmitry Sitkovetsky, the main protagonist of the evening, is a renaissance man and a magnetic creative force. He has a significant influence on all areas of music and is for more than four decades recognized throughout the world for his versatility as a violinist, conductor, creator, recording artist, transcriber, and facilitator. He will be joined by excellent musicians from the Ensemble Dissonance, consisting of members of the Dissonance String Quartet and musicians from the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. The concert will also include works by two giants of Russian music: Sergei Prokofiev (in an arrangement by Rudolf Barshai) and Dmitri Shostakovich. Completing the experience will be the Preludes from Songs of Bukovina by Leonid Desyatnikov (arranged by Dmitry Sitkovetsky). The concert will be complemented by the internationally acclaimed violinist Lana Trotovšek with Schnittke’s Sonata no. 1 for solo violin, harpsichord, and strings.