Movement	Time	Preview
Divertimento No.1 in D K. 136
I. Allegro	4:02
II. Andante	6:27
III. Presto	2:50
Serenade in G K. 525
I. Allegro	5:33
II. Romance	6:41
III. Menutto	2:14
IV. Rondo	3:54
Sinfonia Concertante for violine and viola K. 364
I. Allegro Maestoso	13:32
II. Andante	12:20
III. Presto	6:10

Reviews

"It gave me a great pleasure to perform with The Seasons Orchestra conducted by Vladislav Bulakhov in the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire. I would be glad to have further contacts with this orchestra." Naum Shtarkman, People’s Artiste of Russia

"A wonderful, well-balanced collective of excellent musicians. The atmosphere during rehearsals was benevolent and creative. I would be always glad to have another creative meeting with wonderful The Seasons Chamber Orchestra." Victor Pikaizen, People’s Artiste of Russia

"...it was a real pleasure for me to work with The Seasons" orchestra. I am looking forward to be back in Moscow and to continue the collaboration with this wonderful team of musicians." David Barg (USA), siskusstvo", 8,31,1997

"I’ve been lucky to work with the conductor and The Seasons Orchestra. Vladislav Bulakhov is a very sensitive conductor. He understands a specific nature of guitar and has managed to get a good balance." Antigonl Coni (USA), "Gitaristii" 3,1997

"In 1998, 1 encountered a young chamber orchestra which was deeply absorbed in Its art. Under the direction of Mr. Bulakhov, and displaying a driving enthusiasm, the young musicians created a miraculous world of sound. As a soloist, I believe every musican would be fortunate to collaborate with this orchestra." Mikhal Rezek (Czech Republic)

"The suggestion to perform with The Seasons Chamber Orchestra excited my curiosity at once as the body was quite new to me and I had heard very few about it. The reality justified the best expectations. An atmosphere of such a supply, such an absorption in the smallest details of the text and love to the music created reigned from the first rehearsals till the concert in the Grand Hall of Moscow Conservatoire that it was just impossible not to give way to all of it. The enthusiasm, the pleasure of playing music together plus skill level raised constantly through every day hard work (of which I am witness) - these are the remarkable qualities which will cer-tainly let The Seasons Orchestra and its talented and charming leader, a delicate and spirited musician Vladislav Bulakhov appear on wide niernational stage." Boris Petrushansky, Honoured Artiste of Russia

THE 'SCOTSMAN'
Scotland’s National Newspaper
ARTS
THE HIGHLAND FESTIVAL Tuesday JUNE 6, 2000

The Moscow Chamber Orchestra lifted week one to a climax of world-class proportions with a tightly played packed programme of Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky and Schnittke.

Vladislav Bulakhov, conducting, yoked intelligence to style, producing a suppleness of sound which leaned towards passionate restraint - the orchestra's underlying hallmark. The music was ample, lush and occasionally astringent, as in Sehnittke's "The Old Style Suite", but the evening's was Bach's Concerto for two violins, in 0 minor.

The rhythmic magnificence of the opening was subtly underpinned by the playing of the soloists, Lyudmila Ryzhova and Olga Nassedkina, during the slower middle movement, evocative ease wbich the orchestra followed to the concerto's stifling conclusion. The audience sighed with audible pleasure during Tchaikovsky's popular "Serenade for Strings", a four-segment wonderland of tunes which oozed from the score like pulp from a melon, seductively lush and instantly pleasing. Bulakhov efficiently conjured the earnestness of Tchaikovsky’s homage to Mozart in the first movement, and brought a rare piquancy to the sadness which floods through the third. Melodic simplicity, an echo of the first movement's opening chorale, concluded the piece, and ushered to encores.

EDITED BY JIM LOVE 'FESTIVAL' REVIEW
New Hands

At Old favourites Moscow’s Chamber Orchestra Eden Court Theatre there was a gasp from the audience when Marjana Batalova walked onto the stage on Thursday evening to play the solo part in Bach's "Keyboard Concerto In F minor" - for she was only 11 years old. 'The latest In a line or Russian child prodigies that began with Yevgeny Kissin, she played with remarkable assurance and accuracy-the only thing ruffled about this youngster was the lace collar on her velvet dress - but as she would probably be the first to admit, she has much yet to learn about variation or touch and shaping a phrase. The experience of touring with a professional or chestra should prove valuable. Although nothing like as young as theIr pi ano soloist, the MCO and their conductor are young too and, after the rigour of Bach, their Mozart divertismenti seemed unyielding, particularly when heard on either side or a persuasive performance of Bach's "Double Violin Concerto".

Soloists Lyudmila Ryzbova and Olga Nassedkina, principals of the orchestra’s first and second violins, were more evenly matched In strength than the BT Scottish Ensemble soloists who performed the same work In the same venue two nights earlier but the contrast in their tones and styles helped clarify their Interweaving lines, Ryzhova rather dry and tense and Nassedkina richer and more supple. The call and response or the slow movement was particularly affecting. The orchestra’s founder and conductor, Vladlslav Dulakhov, ensured that his soloists remained to the fore, even in the finale’s long, crescendo and his languid style belied the energy his orchestra brought to their playing.

Russian contemporary music was represented by Alfred Shnittke whose varied out-put has been heard at Eden Court before. His Suite "In The Old Style", with its fugue and minuet was written in Baroque and Classical- style. Only the sliding notes and edgy harmonies of the concluding pantomime revealed its modem origins.

The orchestra was on the attack again in Tchaikovsky's popular "Serenade For Strings" which had an airy sweep and some audaciosly expansive tempi and rests which may have betrayed the conductor's youthful impetuosity, but the familiar Waltz was played with an appealing delicacy and lilt not always present in the Mozart and although then were signs that the players were tiring, the finale had an exciting Increase in Intensity which galvanised, the audience into demand. Ing two encores - a aubdued Anitra’s "Dance" from Grieg’s "Peer Gynt Suite" and an arrangement of "Auld Lang Syne".

HIGHLAND NEWS
THE REGION’S BIGGEST- SELLING WEEKLY!
Week ending Saturday, June 10, 2000
Prodigious Talent

Even If you know nothing about the structure or composition of classical music, it's easy appreciate it's power. When well- played, even a single note in a sequence can make you inexplicably melt into your seat with a sigh.

This was impossible to resist last Thursday evening at the Highland Festival debut performance of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra conducted by Vladislav Bulakhov.

Settling down to hear Bach's Concino or Piano and Orchestra in F minor there was a murmur or surprise as tine piano soloist walked onto the stage. Only 11 years old Marjana Batalova completely endeared herself to the audience with expressive mastery. Her fin-gers fairly flew over the keys, in perfect balance with the strings.

Bach’s "Concerto for Violins with Orchestra In D minor" gave the violin soloists a chance to shine, Lyudmila Ryzhova and Olga Nassedklna.