Russia's Kirov Orchestra of more than 100 musicians will perform under the direction of world-renowned conductor Valery Gergiev at 7:30 tonight at Eisenhower Auditorium.
Gergiev became the artistic director of the Kirov in 1988 and has succeeded in building a reputation for the orchestra since the post-Communist era. He also serves as the principal guest conductor for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Douglas Meyer, conductor of the Pennsylvania Centre Chamber Orchestra, has had the opportunity to observe Gergiev in concert before and looks forward to attending tonight's performance.
"He's a very intense and dramatic conductor," Meyer said. "He's very well-known in Europe."
Housed in the historic Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, the Kirov was founded in the 18th century during the reign of Peter the Great. The orchestra is most known for its work in opera and tours extensively throughout Europe, Asia and the United States.
Meyer said the arrangements of Russian literature will be of particular interest at the performance.
"That is where their expertise and culture lies," he said.
The scheduled program consists of an extensive repertoire, including three arrangements by Russian composers Prokofiev, Borodin and Mussorgsky.
Prokofiev's "Concerto No. 1" will feature 16-year-old violinist Sandra Wolf-Meei Cameron as the soloist. Cameron's talent and energy impressed crowds and caught the attention of Gergiev in 2000 at a music festival in Salzburg, Austria.
"If young musicians are at the level where they can perform at that caliber, then they are probably mature and disciplined enough to tour around the world," said Alex Hill, conductor of Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra.
Hill said the Prokofiev arrangement Cameron will be playing is a world-class piece.
"It's hauntingly beautiful," he said. "The piece is popular in violin repertoires all over the world."
Hill said it was very difficult until recent years for the Kirov Orchestra to achieve the high standing and international reputation they now hold.
"A lot of artistic institutions in the Soviet Union were held back for so long from participating in world culture," he said. "I think we'll see a lot more of them gradually returning in future years."
Another piece being performed, Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," is a musical interpretation of a late friend's watercolors and drawings that inspired the composer. Arranged by French composer Maurice Ravel, the version is argued to be one of the most popular played by ensembles today.
The Kirov will also perform pieces by French composer Claude Debussy and Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi.
Verdi's "La Forza del Destino" is a very dramatic piece that is fitting for an opera orchestra such as the Kirov, said Meyer, which accompanies operas and ballets regularly when playing at home at the Mariinsky Theatre.
Laura Sullivan, spokeswoman for the Center of the Performing Arts, said the Kirov Orchestra is one of the world's most superior orchestras and that Gergiev is currently one of the most in-demand conductors on the international scene.
"His stage presence is what makes him so amazing to watch," Sullivan said. "He adds a whole other dimension to the orchestra."
Ticket prices are $13 or $19 for Penn State students, $29 or $39 for general audience members and $15 or $23 for people 18 and younger.
