Biography
The Musica Viva Chamber Orchestra of Moscow ranks among Russia's foremost small orchestral ensembles. Known for its inventive programming choices, the ensemble has introduced Russian listeners to little-known Western compositions while also championing a substantial body of contemporary scores. Over time it has appeared under several designations, among them Musica Viva Chamber Orchestra, Musica Viva, Musica Viva Symphony Orchestra, and Musica Viva Moscow Chamber Orchestra.
Its origins date to 1978, when violinist and conductor Viktor Kornachev assembled nine recent graduates of Moscow-area conservatories. The ensemble expanded steadily, and by the time Alexander Rudin succeeded Kornachev in 1988 it had matured into a full chamber orchestra capable of performing repertory from multiple periods and for ensembles of differing dimensions. Rudin bestowed the Latin name Musica Viva, meaning Living Music, and has led the group for thirty years. During his tenure the orchestra has collaborated with guest conductors from Russia and abroad, among them Vladimir Jurowski, Christopher Hogwood, and Roger Norrington.
Central to its activities are distinctive concert series. The long-running “Masterpieces & Premieres” programs juxtapose well-known works with rarely heard pieces from both earlier centuries and the present day. Musica Viva has given world premieres of scores by Valentin Silvestrov, Arvo Pärt, and Aulis Sallinen, among others, and has introduced Russian audiences to eighteenth-century compositions previously unfamiliar in the country, including works by Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf, Domenico Cimarosa, and Jan Ladislav Dussek. In 2011 the orchestra inaugurated its “Silver Classics” series, dedicated to music once popular yet later neglected.
As its stature and resources increased, Musica Viva expanded into large-scale choral and operatic performances, enlisting international soloists such as Vivica Genaux, Susan Graham, and Franco Fagioli. The ensemble has toured throughout Europe as well as India and the Far East. Its recording catalog includes releases on Melodiya, Fuga Libera, and Toccata Classics; in 2019 it issued an album of symphonies by Johann Stamitz on the Naxos label.
Its origins date to 1978, when violinist and conductor Viktor Kornachev assembled nine recent graduates of Moscow-area conservatories. The ensemble expanded steadily, and by the time Alexander Rudin succeeded Kornachev in 1988 it had matured into a full chamber orchestra capable of performing repertory from multiple periods and for ensembles of differing dimensions. Rudin bestowed the Latin name Musica Viva, meaning Living Music, and has led the group for thirty years. During his tenure the orchestra has collaborated with guest conductors from Russia and abroad, among them Vladimir Jurowski, Christopher Hogwood, and Roger Norrington.
Central to its activities are distinctive concert series. The long-running “Masterpieces & Premieres” programs juxtapose well-known works with rarely heard pieces from both earlier centuries and the present day. Musica Viva has given world premieres of scores by Valentin Silvestrov, Arvo Pärt, and Aulis Sallinen, among others, and has introduced Russian audiences to eighteenth-century compositions previously unfamiliar in the country, including works by Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf, Domenico Cimarosa, and Jan Ladislav Dussek. In 2011 the orchestra inaugurated its “Silver Classics” series, dedicated to music once popular yet later neglected.
As its stature and resources increased, Musica Viva expanded into large-scale choral and operatic performances, enlisting international soloists such as Vivica Genaux, Susan Graham, and Franco Fagioli. The ensemble has toured throughout Europe as well as India and the Far East. Its recording catalog includes releases on Melodiya, Fuga Libera, and Toccata Classics; in 2019 it issued an album of symphonies by Johann Stamitz on the Naxos label.
Albums
Works for 2 Cellos
2022
Mozart: Concerto for Two Pianos, No. 10
2021
Stamitz: Symphonies, Op. 3 Nos. 1 & 3-6
2019
Weinberg: Cello Concertino in C Minor, Op. 43bis & 24 Preludes, Op. 100
2018
Arnold Griller: Orchestral Music, Vol. 2 – Works for Symphony Orchestra
2018
Arnold Griller: Orchestral Music, Vol. 1 – Works for Chamber Orchestra
2017
C.P.E. Bach: Flute Concertos
2017
Mozart: Symphony No. 18 in F Major, K. 130 (Digitally Remastered)
2014
Dvořák: Cello Concerto in A Major & Serenade for Strings in E Major
2013
Glinka: Orchestral Works
2010
Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 6 'Pastorale'
2010
Tricklir: 4 Concertos for Cello & Orchestra
2005
Boris Tchaikovsky: Chamber Symphony; Sinfonietta etc.
2004
Alexander Tcherepnin
1996
Geogry Sviridov: Trio for Violin, Cello, Piano & St. Petersburg Songs
1995