US Army and Russian National Orchestra Brass Quintets Join Forces to Honor War Veterans with Concerts in Russia

Today is Day One of an unprecedented American and Russian cultural partnership that will present a series of concerts and events in Moscow and St. Petersburg. 

Under the auspices of the Bilateral Presidential Commission and with additional financial support from ConocoPhillips Russia Inc., the Trust for Mutual Understanding of New York, and generous private donors of the Russian Arts Foundation, we launch the next in RAF's on-going program called Cultural Allies.

Watch this space for updates...tomorrow in Moscow TUSABQ and RNOBQ begin their journey marking the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Maxim Rubtsov on Performance Today

David Duff of Alabama Public Radio wrote to me on January 8th to say: 

Just a quick note to let you know that on Monday, January 11th, Performance Today will broadcast a selection from Maxim Rubtsov's concert at the University of Alabama.

If you missed it, here is the web link to PT’s archive.  Under Today’s Playlist, Hour 1, click on Listen.

Martha Bredon wrote me to say:

Just listened to Max’s encore on NPR...his control on that last long note is incredible!

Maxim's piano accompanist, Pam Penick, was plenty excited to hear the last notes of what NPR host Fred Childs called "a well-received" concert. 

Let's hear it for the Crimson Tide.  They don't just do football, they do music with the same passion.  Their School of Music hosts an annual residency for RNO soloists and ensembles, which has featured RNO principal flute Maxim Rubtsov in 2009 and RNO principal trumpet Vladislav Lavrik in 2008. 

American Public Media's Performance Today is broadcast on 245 public radio stations across the country and is heard by about 1.2 million people each week.