Studio recording of works by Baruch Berliner with the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra

On August 10 and 11, the virtuoso violinist Haik Kazazyan and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra (MSSO), conducted by Mikhail Kirchhoff, recorded Baruch Berliner’s second violin concerto, “The Binding of Isaac.”

A principal performer at the Moscow State Academic Philharmonic, Mr. Kazazyan has won several international competitions. Acknowledged as one of his generation’s most sought-after musicians, he performs in Russia and abroad to invariably great acclaim.

Mr. Kirchhoff is the conductor of the Kaliningrad Symphony Orchestra and the chief conductor of Baruch Berliner’s Genesis International Project.

One of Russia’s oldest and most esteemed orchestras, the MSSO was founded in 1943. Celebrated Soviet musicians served as its music directors: the conductor of the Bolshoy Theatre, National Artist Lev Steinberg (from 1943 to 1945), Leonid Khudoley (1945–1948), Nikolai Anosov (1948–1951), Viktor Smirnov (1951–1953), Leo Ginzburg (1953–1955), Mikhail Terian (1955–1960), Veronika Dudarova (1960–1989), and Pavel Kogan (1989–2022).

The ensemble has released a wealth of recordings, including CDs and DVDs featuring studio and live performances and radio and TV broadcasts. The MSSO’s cycle of Rachmaninoff’s works published by the Alto label is widely renowned and immensely popular. The interpretations of the composer’s three symphonies and Symphonic Dances recorded by the orchestra and Maestro Kogan have achieved top rankings among all existing renditions.

Due to the diversity of programs and consistently superlative performance, the ensemble has earned the respect and admiration of audiences domestically and internationally. Over the past twenty-five years, the MSSO has toured more than fifty countries. Each year, the orchestra performs in Moscow at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. During the 2018/2019 season, the orchestra embarked on an unparalleled tour across 20 Russian cities, extending from Moscow to Vladivostok, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the ensemble.
On August 12 and 13, the MSSO will record the piano concerto Fantasia Concertante “Genesis” with pianist Philipp Kopachevsky.