Vivacello festival gets underway in Moscow

The second Cello Festival "Vivacello" has opened in Moscow with a world premiere. A symphonic concerto by Alexei Rybnikov was presented by the leading violist of the world Yuri Bashmet, and a young celloist Boris Andrianov, together with the Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra.

Although held in Moscow for the second time, the cello festival got its name - "Vivacello" this year. The idea of such a concert forum, presenting music by composers of different epochs, from baroque to the present day, written specially for the cello, as well as music transcriptions, was proposed by 33-year-old Boris Andrianov. Well-known to Russian audience thanks to his numerous performances, the musician has won a number of prestigious international contests, particularly the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, and was nominated for the Grammy Award. He is convinced that the cello festival is needed in Russia, with its traditions and cello school, which contributed to the success of such eminent musicians, like Grigory Pyatigorsky, Daniil Shafran and, of course, Mstislav Rostropovich, thanks to whom the cello became extensively popular in the 20^th century. Participating in this year's festival are his colleagues and friends - Natalia Gutman, David Geringas, Mischa Maisky, as well as young performers, who are expected to take up the "musical torch" from them. The Vivacello festival is due to last until March 17^th.