Denis Matsuev

One of the outstanding pianists of the 21st century is back in Dubai with a concert that is sure to showcase his virtuosity (the orchestra gets second billing, for instance – it’s the Academy of Russian Music Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ivan Nikiforchin). Star of the show will surely be Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2, an icon of Romantic expression; Matsuev has deservedly become associated with sensitive and creative interpretations of the composer’s work, and indeed for many years he has collaborated with the Sergei Rachmaninov Foundation – latterly as its artistic director.

Matsuev is also an accomplished jazz pianist, and the evening also features a section titled ‘SymphoJazz’. We think this is the ongoing project of the Ivanov brothers, pianist Mikhail and Andrey on double bass; Andrey is guesting in Dubai, and as it happens regularly plays in a jazz trio with Matsuev. As the name implies, SymphoJazz is a blend of classical orchestral elements with jazz improvisation (Matsuev has in the past played jazz variations on Rachmaninoff …) He’ll be joined for this by additional guest soloists Borislav Strulev (cello), Ekaterina Mochalova (domra, the long-necked Russian lute), and David Tkebuchava (drums).