“They played with such captivating beauty that the audience let out an involuntary sigh of pleasure.”
“...as close to perfect as one could hope for.”
“breathtakingly beautiful.”
“[The RNO is] easily the greatest Russian orchestra of today.”
“...an awe-inspiring experience. Should human beings be able to play like this?”
The Russian National Orchestra began as a courageous demonstration of artistic freedom during the Soviet regime. Now, over 25 years later, it has has risen to the pinnacle of the classical music world. A panel of international critics named the RNO one of the world's top orchestras (Gramophone, December 2008) – the only Moscow ensemble to be so honored, the youngest by far, and the only European orchestra on the list that is independent of the government.
Described by the Miami Herald as “a living symbol of the best in Russian art” and by International Piano as “the most important cultural story of our time,” the RNO has graced international stages since 1990, and has received numerous honors, including the French Diapason d'or, the German Echo Klassik Award and a Grammy Award.